Serendipity in Science
Serendipity – Accidental Discoveries in Science
ABSTRACT
Serendipity means the faculty of making fortunate and unexpected discoveries by accidents.
Penicillin, X-ray, Viagra, Teflon are common examples known as accidental discoveries in science. The stories of these discoveries are interesting and meaningful. X-ray for medical diagnosis and treatment, miracle drug penicillin, Viagra for treatment of erectile dysfunction, Teflon for frying pans, all of these discoveries make our life wonderful. Most of people who have been blessed by serendipity are not reluctant to admit their good fortunate, but serendipity does not diminish the credit due them for making the discovery. Famous Scientist Pasteur and Nobel laureate Paul Flory described serendipity as discoveries made by “by accident and sagacity”. They expressed it “In the field of observation, chance favors only the prepared mind.” The importance of the study is how to turn accidents become discoveries.
Cases of serendipity in science technology are presented in this thesis.
Content
Declaration……………………………………………………………………………i
Abstract ………………………………………………………………………………ii
Acknowledgements ………………………………………………………………….iii
Table of Contents ……………………………………………………………………iv
Chapter 1 - Introduction 1) Definition of Serendipity in science…………………………………………P.6 2) The main aim of the dissertation…………………………………………….P.7 3) A story summary of the context of the study………………………………..P.8
Chapter 2 - Story of Viagra
2.1.) Background information……………………………………………………….P.9
2.2) Biography of inventor or discoverer……………………………………..……P.10
2.3) How it is accidentally discovered……………………………………………...P.12
2.4) Evidence and working mechanism…………………………………………….P.14
2.5) Effect and influence of the discovery …………………………………………P.15
Chapter 3 - Story of post-it notes
3.1.) Background information……………………………………………………...P.17
3.2) Biography of inventor or discoverer ……………………………………….…P.17
3.3) How it is accidentally
ABSTRACT
Serendipity means the faculty of making fortunate and unexpected discoveries by accidents.
Penicillin, X-ray, Viagra, Teflon are common examples known as accidental discoveries in science. The stories of these discoveries are interesting and meaningful. X-ray for medical diagnosis and treatment, miracle drug penicillin, Viagra for treatment of erectile dysfunction, Teflon for frying pans, all of these discoveries make our life wonderful. Most of people who have been blessed by serendipity are not reluctant to admit their good fortunate, but serendipity does not diminish the credit due them for making the discovery. Famous Scientist Pasteur and Nobel laureate Paul Flory described serendipity as discoveries made by “by accident and sagacity”. They expressed it “In the field of observation, chance favors only the prepared mind.” The importance of the study is how to turn accidents become discoveries.
Cases of serendipity in science technology are presented in this thesis.
Content
Declaration……………………………………………………………………………i
Abstract ………………………………………………………………………………ii
Acknowledgements ………………………………………………………………….iii
Table of Contents ……………………………………………………………………iv
Chapter 1 - Introduction 1) Definition of Serendipity in science…………………………………………P.6 2) The main aim of the dissertation…………………………………………….P.7 3) A story summary of the context of the study………………………………..P.8
Chapter 2 - Story of Viagra
2.1.) Background information……………………………………………………….P.9
2.2) Biography of inventor or discoverer……………………………………..……P.10
2.3) How it is accidentally discovered……………………………………………...P.12
2.4) Evidence and working mechanism…………………………………………….P.14
2.5) Effect and influence of the discovery …………………………………………P.15
Chapter 3 - Story of post-it notes
3.1.) Background information……………………………………………………...P.17
3.2) Biography of inventor or discoverer ……………………………………….…P.17
3.3) How it is accidentally