Absorbable Electronics

Absorbable Electronics Absorbable Electronics Absorbable ElectronicsThe new field of green electronics promises electronics made from low-cost, environmentally friendly biodegradable synthetic materials. Theyre human friendly as well. That is, theyre compatible with the human body.The sensors and attendant electronics are meant to work for a few weeks, then completely dissolve over the course of about a day when immersed in fluids, says Mihai Irimia-Vladu, a materials science researcher at FH Joanneum University in Graz, Austria.Sometimes called zero-waste sensors and electronics, the devices can be used for a number of medical applications. They degrade naturally into the body, so they dont have to be removed surgically, which can cause surgical complications, says John Rogers, who heads the Rogers Research Group at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, who has led research on these electronics. Rogers is a chemist and a materials scientist at the university.The field marr ies material science with mechanical, electrical, and bioengineering, says Irimia-Vladu. Hes published several journal papers on green electronics topics and holds an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering and a graduate degree in materials science.Dissolution of a-IGZO TFTs and circuits on a PVA substrate in deionized water. Image University of IllinoisIn terms of medical use, biodegradable electronics could be used for dissolvable catheters or to monitor bacterial infection after surgery, while biodegradable sensors could monitor the kidney, heart, and lungs, he says.As for environmental applications, transient electronics could be used as sensors that transmit data from remote locations, and then degrade into the soil to eliminate waste, he adds. Other uses include soft robotics or disposable electronics used in food packaging or other disposable applications.A number of green electronics are now in the research and testing stages.For instance, working together, researche rs from a variety of universities and institutes in America and South Korea are testing a biocompatible pressure and temperature sensor integrated on a biodegradable silicon chip. The chip sits on the brains surface and is connected to a wireless transmitter attached to the outside of the skull.The sensor itself is smaller than a grain of rice, Rogers, says. When tested in rats, the device monitored intracranial pressure and temperature at least as accurately as existing devices.Rogers is lead author of a paper on the research that appeared in the February 2016 edition of the journal Nature.Some might be surprised to learn that silicon, bedrngnis known for its biodegradable nature, is used for the chip. But in addition to being biodegradable (albeit over centuries), silicon is the most common semiconductor material used in todays electronic devices, Rogers says. The silicon dissolves due to hydrolysis, in which water and silicon react to form silicic acid. Silicic acid is environmen tally and biologically benign.Although it takes many hundreds of years to dissolve todays silicon semiconductors, thin layers of silicon can dissolve at rates of 5 to 90 nanometers per day, he adds.Although other organic electronic materials are also often biodegradable, silicon-based electronics have the advantages of an overall higher performance and the use of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor fabrication processes that allow for mass production, Roger adds.The researchers created the pressure and temperature sensor from thin layers of silicon.Many procedures in modern clinical medicine rely on the use of electronic implants in treating conditions that range from acute coronary events to traumatic injury, Rogers writes in the Nature paper.The researchers chose to focus their efforts on the cranial pressure and temperature sensor because, to treat traumatic brain injury, intracranial pressure and temperature must be continuously monitored. The biocompatible sensors would be a great aid to monitoring, he says.Standard, permanent monitoring, along with other electronic hardware used in the body, abrollcontainer-transportsystem as a breeding place for infection Bacteria form biofilms along wires or travel through the blood to cause other bodily tissues to become infected, Rogers says. Also these type of implantable electronics must be surgically removed, exposing patients to potential surgical complications.In clinical studies, their absorbable device compared favorably with that of traditional, non-absorbable devices, Rogers says.Researchers also showed their device neednt be wired through the skin. They connected a sensor to an implantedbut only partially absorbabledata-communication system, which proved there is no need for any percutaneous wiring, according to the Nature paper.The devices can be adapted to sense fluid flow, motion, pH or thermal characteristics, in formats that are compatible with the bodys abdomen and extremities, as well as the deep brain, suggesting that the sensors might meet many needs in clinical medicine, according to the paper.Next up for the group of researchers biodegradable circuits made from various polymers.Were working on building more advanced circuits, and doing so with commercial foundries, and on back-end assembly techniques that will allow these circuits to be deployed on a range of biodegradable polymer substrates, Rogers says.Jean Thilmany is an independent writer.Learn how to leverage emerging technologies that create sustainable solutions at ASMEs COMS 2016 For Further DiscussionThe sensors and attendant electronics are meant to work for a few weeks, then completely dissolve over the course of about a day when immersed in fluids.Mihai Irimia-Vladu, FH Joanneum University

Most Employees Optimistic About Career Growth Opportunities

Most Employees Optimistic About Career Growth Opportunities Most Employees Optimistic About Career Growth Opportunities There is a skills gap in America, says Dr. Bill Pepicello, president of University of Phoenix. Employers have jobs available, but many companies are having a difficult time finding workers with the right skills to fill those positions.Just under half of respondents said that are taking or would like to take an online class to develop their professional skills and grow their careers. Nearly three-quarters of respondents 25 to 34 years old are fruchtwein likely to participate in online courses followed by 63 percent of respondents ages 18 to 24. Older workers are also very interested in online learning with 58 percent of 35 to 44 year olds, 46 percent of 45 to 54 year olds, and 21 percent of 55 years and older expect to enroll in an online course.Most respondents with a bachelors degree (78 percent) said education has given them an advantage during the hiring proces s while 41 percent of respondents without a bachelors degree said so. About 60 percent of respondents not currently enrolled in school full time said returning to school would be important when considering a career change. Most respondents (58 percent) also said that additional schooling would lead to better pay and 43 percent said it would allow them to grow their careers.

Six Awfully Good Career Lessons From Awful Summer Jobs

Six Awfully Good Career Lessons From Awful Summer JobsSix Awfully Good Career Lessons From Awful Summer JobsDuring college, in the summers I worked in a sandwich shop on Cape Cod while my boyfriend at the time worked in maintenance for the National Park Service. In his case, maintenance was a glorified term for janitor- his job was to empty trash cans and clean the restrooms and portable toilets at all of the Cape Cod National Seashore beaches. While this summer job may seem awful to some, it had enough positive aspects that he went back to it several years in a row. The benefits to any summer job you get in your teens or in college can be unforeseen when you start out, yet what you learn on the job can stay with you for the rest of your life.Here are some benefits to working in jobs that may not turn into careers, but can provide valuable experience and extra cash during your summers away from school.Get exposure to different ways of lifeThe National Park Service maintenance crews a lways worked in teams of two or three people. The time they spent in the truck together going from site to site was time to talk about anything they wanted. Even at the age of 18, my ex-boyfriend knew he wanted to be a writer. He was fascinated by people and their stories, and has since published a novel. The men he worked with were Cape Cod natives, and much older than him, so it was the perfect opportunity for him to learn about their experiences and perspective on life, which was much different than that of his upper-middle class family. Essentially, he was collecting material, which allowed him to overlook the griminess of cleaning toilets. Any job that entails driving around a lot, either with other people in the car or to their homes, can expose you to different types of people and broaden your perspective, showing you that we are all more alike than we are different. Jobs like Uber driver, baby sitter, delivery driver, can be choices that get you out of your comfort zone and provide the opportunity to hear interesting personal stories.Learn what you dont wantFor me, the biggest lesson from working in a restaurant was learning that I didnt want to work in the restaurant business. The daily grind of food prep, taking orders, making sandwiches, scooping ice cream, and cleaning up felt like a treadmill. It certainly wasnt why I was going to college. I also learned that I didnt like a public-facing role I disliked taking customer orders and running the cash register, but I didnt mind standing at the sandwich-making station all day. I also tried my hand at waitressing, which was more of disaster for me than running a cash register. When I was ready to look for jobs after college, I already knew that I would rather work behind the scenes than in front of people. Knowing what you dont want is valuable information in the path to finding what you do want.Make lifelong friendsMy neighbor Ben worked in the photo department at Sams Club when he was in college. It do esnt relate much to his job in software ausverkauf now, but he told me that he met two of his best friends there. Ten years later, he still counts these men among his best buddies. I can attest to the same experience from my summer jobs- I met my first boyfriend at my high school summer job at an amusement park, and some lifelong friends at those restaurant jobs.Understand group dynamicsBeing a multigenerational and/or multicultural work situation can provide lessons about group dynamics that will carry forward into the rest of your career. My friend Chris Pielher, TheChrisPiehler,now a writer and comedian, taught horseback riding at a summer camp while in high school, and said, I was the only boy on a staff of 8-10, so it was great experience in seeing the dynamic among a group of women. It also made me comfortable around women. Thats a pretty valuable skill for a teenage boy. For me, the group dynamics of the restaurant business taught me that everyone working together in what the y are most suited to do is what makes an einzelschritt run smoothly. Thats not much different than the corporate world, where teams can consist of engineers, account managers, marketers, operations staff, and finance staff who work together to produce a product that clients want to buy.Learn patienceIf your summer job entails working with children, animals, handicapped people, or the elderly, you will most certainly learn patience. Chris said of being a horseback riding instructor, Working with the kids taught me that kids who seem scared can build confidence quickly with the right instruction and the right pony. Handling horses requires you to be quiet, calm and clear in what you want from them. Being patient with people and animals gives you a heartfelt sense of confidence in the effectiveness of your work. Jobs as a nanny, babysitter, dog walker, or animal trainer, can all help you learn patience.Get fun perksMany jobs that seek to hire teens such as those at amusement parks or m ovie theaters offer perks. Restaurants also usually offer free or discounted meals. David Spark, dspark,now a media consultant at Spark Media Solutions, had a summer job that entailed popping 75-100 garbage bags of popcorn a day at a multiplex theater. Hes doubtful that he learned any skills at that job, but he said, I got to see tons of movies for free, bring all my friends for free, my family could go see movies for free, and I could eat all the popcorn and drink all the soda I want. For $4.00 an hour back in the late 1980s, those were badly needed perks. When interviewing for your summer job, ask what perks they offer. Great jobs to gain fun summer perks include amusement park jobs and movie theater jobs.Whatever type of summer job you seek, know that you will learn something important while earning money whether its a new skill, exposure to different people and situations, or even a personal discovery about which job not to do next summer.

6 tips when you feel taken for granted

6 tips when you feel taken for granted6 tips when you feel taken for grantedOften, we go about our lives thinking our relationships at work and in life are ok while under the surface a subtle ember of discord is burning. Then one day it bursts into a full blaze and we do or say something that rips at our presence. At work, this is particularly difficult when it strips your executive presence.One of the subtle feelings that shreds our peace is the feeling that we have been taken for granted.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraName what youre feelingYou might think you hate your babo or that a colleague is self-absorbed but that is focusing on their behavior and not your feelings. What does their behavior make you feel? Small? Disregarded? Disrespected? Undervalued? Naming the feeling disarms its power.Draw healthy boundariesYou know you want to draw healthier boundaries when you feel taken advantage of, taken for granted, responsible for someone elses happiness or blatantly disrespected. To understand the power of health boundaries first imagine that you are on a big farm. You have all the people you know inside one white fenced pasture. You notice one of the people is troubled and kicks you or the people you care about. So, you remove yourself from that pasture and go inside another white fenced pasture where he/she cannot get past the gate. Others may choose to follow you there, but the injuring party cannot. Either way, you can still see and interact with the troubled person through the fence if it is necessary, but they cannot harm you. You are safe.Boundaries are invisible lines between what you will and will not allow. You are only responsible for your happiness and your opinion of yourself. No one elses happiness or opinion of you matters because it is outside of your control.Know what you needLeaders are problem solvers. They often dont want to generate the solution to your feelings, especially to a problem they dont see. But, when given a choice between two solutions they can generally make a good choice. And they can support a solution you generate.Share your feelings with the injuring party using I not You statements.Launch the conversation with grace. Jonathon, I realize you arent purposefully being hurtful but when (describe his/her behavior or that of the organization without editorializing it) it makes me feel ______. I ask that (describe your solution to the situation).Build your confidence by taking risksMake a firm commitment to yourself to take actions that reinforce your confidence. Confidence builds by having the courage to take risks. A good risk is one where you know you have strengths in a certain area but have not been using them. Ask to work on a project where you can bring value. Volunteer for a team outside of your direct area. Take a class on a new skill. Spend time with people who are at a higher level within the organization.Build your self-compassionSupport yourself as you would a friend. You are not a victim unless you allow bad behavior of others to affect your opinion of yourself and paralyze your power. Victims fear taking responsibility for their own actions. Thats not you. May I be gentle with myself in this process. You cant change what the other person says or does. You CAN change your perspective on it. Let them have their opinions. Just because they say something doesnt make it so. Im sorry you feel that way. Speak with your voice and your feet. Im not engaging in this. Walk away.When we feel taken for granted or undervalued we must become our own advocates.To learn more tips on how to navigate a corporate career here is a free report 31 Success Practices for Leaders in the High Stakes Corporate World.Mary Lee Gannon, ACC, CAE is an executive coach and corporate CEO who helps busy leaders get off the treadmill to nowhere to be more effective, earn more, be calmer and enjoy c onnected relationships with the people who matter while it still matters.Watch her FREE Master Class training on Three Things to Transform Your Life and Career Right Now at www.MaryLeeGannon.com.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Short Article Reveals the Undeniable Facts About How to Set up a Resume and How It Can Affect You

Short Article Reveals the Undeniable Facts About How to platzdeckchen up a Resume and How It Can Affect You Make your basic resume which youll be able to reduce whenever you require. A good resume is tough to come by. The Number One Question You Must Ask for How to Set up a Resume Regardless of the degree of position youre applying for, you are going to want to have a skilled and well-written resume. In reality, you should only list experiences directly related to the position youre applying for. You should tailor your resume to each work application so that it responds to the particular prerequisites of the job which youre applying for. You wont depart from your problems behind. The prior includes most agencies, particularly in the tech sphere. If youre attempting to obtain work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. Alas, many use the exact same job management system. Accounting and finance managers might want to see your technical understanding. The How to Set up a Resume Pitfall Theres a great chance you may be switching career paths. To begin with, writing a blog post with any type of value demands effort. Taking the opportunity to work on your resume is crucial. Understanding how to tailor your resume will obviously offer you an advantage. Note that there might be circumstances when including some of these information demonstrates that youre a superior fit for the job. There are two classes of font. To begin with, note that lots of the items ought to be completed in tandem. Dont forget, the resume isnt a static document You can set your contact details in the footer of your resume, but should you do, you must be sure theyre also in the principal body of the document. You always have the choice to delete notes on, but you may forget it if it is not from the template. Resume titel letter for short-term position. It is possible to use our resume building software to create your own from scratch. If you are in need of a quick kick-start on developing a template first, take a look at a resume builder before employing a professional. To begin with, templates have to be comprehensive. To find some formatting tips for your resume, take a look at our samples.The subject of information technology grows more important each and every day. For example, your time management abilities or knowledge of specific computer programs would be helpful in most any position. Unique kinds of work in the food service industry require resumes with a lot of the exact same skills. Make certain you highlight technical wisdom and certifications. It is very important to get in touch with your reference before going to your interview. If you think in yourself it will be less difficult for you to be yourself in the interview. The use of the interview is to find another interview, and ultimately receive a work offer. Writing a resume for employment in the art industry can be difficult. Most folks look at writing a resume as just something youve got to do to have a job. Do not write what you would like in work. Each time you apply to get a new job, check your resume to make sure that it is not only targeted, but in addition current. Finding a job has ever been relatively easy for me. The Secret to How to Set up a Resume Reader will probably retrieve your intended statement first. The transition can be hard for your family also. Sections are able to and ought to be moved easily. The Objective Section The Objective section at the peak of a resume is a superior distributions-mix to state upfront that you are searching for a change in career.

Leadership Potential How To Assess It In Candidates

Leadership Potential How To Assess It In CandidatesIts not hard to find an employee who can eventually advance into a management role. You can train virtually anyone whos intelligent enough to tackle budgets, hire when open positions become available, and land new clients. However, the difference between a manager and a leader is a drastic one and its essential to recognize this distinction. Assessing for leadership tauglichkeit as you hire is hugely important. You dont just want someone who can complete spreadsheets and fill out paperwork you need someone who can execute your businesss overarching vision and bring the brand firmly into the future. As youre hiring, here are some components to focus on to be sure youre properly assessing a candidates leadership potential.How do they go about earning the respect of their team?A manager expects their team to respect them right off the bat, simply because of the title they have had bestowed upon them. A leader understands that a title d oesnt guarantee respect, but that they must earn this through their actions. During the interview, considering asking the candidate how they plan to earn the respect of the team. Do they intend on standing up at the front of the room and spouting buchungs or will they create an open dialogue where everyone can contribute ideas?Their energy levelsAn effective leader is an energetic person, and this enthusiasm is contagious. If they come in each day revived and ready to work, this positivity spreads to the rest of the office. However, if this person shows up with stress levels raging, ready to lash out at the first person they see, theyll contribute to create a hostile work environment. Its too easy for a job seeker to tell you that theyre always positive and excited to show up to the office. Instead of taking this response at face value, ask them a question that lets them prove this to you. Inquire about the most exciting thing theyve done over the past year. This could include a tri p theyve taken, a new hobby or skill theyve learned, or a pet project theyve finally devoted their attention toward. Hearing them talk about this will give you good insight about what their passion and energy levels are really like.What do they do when they dont have the answers?Great leaders arent afraid to ask for help. They have no shame in admitting when they dont know something. Rather than blindly trying to make decisions when they lack information, they want to go to the proper sources so they can gather all of the data they need to make an informed choice. To find out if this individual has this ability, ask the following question How would you proceed if you find yourself in a situation where you simply dont know what to do? If they tell you theyd make it up or just pretend and hope for the best, you know they might not be the ideal candidate for a leadership role within your business. However, if they explain that they would admit their area of weakness and consult with th ose who have the necessary expertise, they have some of the traits of a strong leader. The right leader believes in the importance of continuing to learn and develop, no matter how established they are in their career. Therefore, hearing them speak about continuing education, attending conferences, and obtaining further certifications is important.The ability to adapt to a changing environmentNo matter what industry youre in, change is inevitable. If youre running your business today like you did 10 or 20 years ago, youll eventually find that the company starts to plateau. When youre hiring for management roles, you want to ensure that the people youre putting in these positions are willing to pivot when necessary. Because of the way change permeates through all industries, its essential to touch on how this person tackles an evolving business. How do they continue to grow as a professional? What do they do to ensure that theyre staying on top of new trends, technology, and players in the industry so theyre never left behind?Change is inevitable. Are you looking for leadership that is ready to adapt?Click To TweetThe factors that drive themTrue leaders dont just accept the role for the perks and the job title theyre mission-driven and see a greater purpose beyond just a salary boost, extra vacation days, and a company car. Before you put someone in a management role, you want to find out what drives them. This will become very important, especially during particularly stressful times when they may need to come in on the weekends or work long hours. Ask the candidate whats appealing to them about this position. If theyre rattling off reasons like they want to make a difference, they love inspiring others, theyve had a lot of great mentors in their life and theyd like to return the favor, and other valid responses, you probably have a strong leader on your hands. If the response is more wishy-washy and points to self-centered reasoning, you may want to question whether this individual is an ideal fit for the position.Their relationship with their direct reportsMany people understand that, in order to lead effectively, your staff has to support your ideas and vision. However, some people particularly those newer to a leadership role get caught up in the balance between earning their teams respect and trying to befriend their employees. Yes, your staff needs to back you, but this doesnt mean you need to be slamming two-for-one margaritas together at Happy Hour every Thursday. To gauge if this individual understands this important need for separation between colleagues and best friends, inquire during the interview about whether direct reports respect or fear this person. Ask if they believe its possible to solicit both reactions from the same group.The ability to assess and use employees strengths When youre involved in running a business, you have to get good at learning how to let your employees shine. If youre trying to put a highly crea tive, imaginative person in a very cut and dry role, you may end up frustrated when they spend too much time daydreaming and forget to fill out an Excel spreadsheet you need by 5 p.m. On the flip side, if youre asking for a few killer ideas for Q3 from a person who loves functionality and numbers, dont be shocked when you get several lackluster thoughts about Customer Appreciation Day and nothing worth presenting to the rest of the team. They say you shouldnt try to jam a square peg into a round hole, and this is true when it comes to guiding a team. Each employee within the organization will have strengths and weaknesses, as well as passions and things they just cant stand to do. A good leader knows how to recognize a team members strengths and utilize them effectively within the office.Their ability to assess risks effectivelyA skilled leader knows how to calculate risk. If they never try something new, its tough for the business to grow. At the same time, if theyre constantly put ting the company on the line just because the gamble might one day pay off, the entire brand suffers. To find out whether this individual has an appropriate level of risk-taking in them, ask about the biggest risk theyve takens. Try to get a sense of what their thought process was like as they decided whether to take this chance, and what they did to reduce the likelihood of failure. Those who shoot first and ask questions later are a poor choice for a leadership role, as they can take the company down a dangerous path with their poorly planned decisions. However, those who carefully weigh the pros and cons can help the brand grow in a big way.There are several other key traits to keep an eye out for when youre looking to hire your companys next great leader. Beyond the practical skills and experience you want an individual to have as they step into a leadership role, here are some skills to be on the lookout forBeing able to weigh the risks of a decision is a must for people in a l eadership role.Click To TweetA positive attitude in both good times and badManagers influence their employees in a significant way. If its clear the manager is panicking about the companys future, the team that reports to this individual will begin to panic, too. If the manager seems uncertain about a decision, it will be hard for direct reports to believe in the choice wholeheartedly. Because of this, its crucial for a manager to maintain a positive attitude. Business gets stressful. There are times of uncertainty and doubt for even the best run businesses. But maintain faith in yourself and your brand, because this is whats necessary to keep the rest of the staff feeling positive. When the manager starts to question the companys effectiveness, so does everyone else.Theyre transparent in an appropriate waySome managers are under the impression that theyre a dictator and everyone else in the company is on a need to know basis. While its true that the business cant be a total democra cy (or else nothing would get done in a timely fashion) and some information is sensitive, keeping employees in the loop is necessary in order for the business to function smoothly. Employees shouldnt hear about acquisitions or sales through trade publications. If there are rumors, address them head-on to keep the gossip mill from working overtime. You want to be upfront with your staff to show them you value them and take their opinions seriously. Keeping them in the dark is a dangerous way to operate, positiv you miss out on important employee feedback. Who understands the inner workings of your company better than those spending nine or more hours there each day? Many managers find it valuable to check in with team members regularly to get advice on what the brand could be doing better. A staffer may have insight about speeding up a process that you would never have thought of on your own. Take their words seriously, and keep them in the loop. Youre a team working together to kee p the business strong.They can delegateGood leaders should have a hand in all aspects of the business, but if theyre trying to do every single thing themselves, theyll become stretched thin and rendered ineffective. Ideally, managers learn how to delegate properly based on employees skills. Theyre still plugged in and know exactly whats going on within the company at any given time, but theyre not trying to do each departments tasks on their own. It can be nerve-wracking to surrender a bit of control and trust other people to do a job effectively. But when proper attention is given to hiring, this becomes less stressful.Micromanaging is not a great LeadershipSkill. Look for candidates who know how to delegate.Click To TweetTheyre creativeManagers certainly need to be able to assess profit and loss statements and write up business plans, but true leaders think beyond just the financial aspect of their businesses. Theyre able to lead with a creative vision in mind. They have a clear-c ut idea about what that business should stand for and each plan they put into place reflects this greater vision. They infuse creativity into every aspect of their job, whether its problem solving, team building, or landing new clients. They also dont forget that its OK to have a little fun at the office. In fact, this is recommended in order to keep morale high and employees engaged. While a strong resume and plenty of experience are important components in the making of a skilled leader, its important not to overlook other key abilities that enable this individual to bring the team together and get them focused on a common mission. Keep in mind that anyone can divvy up projects, but it takes a certain personality type to unite and motivate the unique blend of individuals working together within an office. What are some more tips for spotting leadership potential? Share in the comments below