ASME.orgs 10 Must-Read Stories from 2017

ASME.orgs 10 Must-Read Stories from 2017 ASME.orgs 10 Must-Read Stories from 2017 ASME.orgs 10 Must-Read Stories from 2017The cynical among us have sung a familiar refrain in recent years. Disappointed with the perceived lack of progress toward the science fiction pop culture promised in the 1960s and 1970s, They promised us jet packs has become the defiant title of numerous essays, pop culture commentaries, and has even inspired the name of one obscure Scottish rock band. However, those of us who covered the field of engineering and technology in general in 2017 have a very different perception of where things are headed. And we think it is fair to say that readers of ASME.org who are on the front lines of engineering in research labs and corporate RD departments around the globe would certainly join us in politely informing the cynical among us You may not have been paying enough attention.2017 was a very memorable year in the world of science, and particularly engineering, as huma n society moved ever closer to what was once science fiction. Robot teachers equipped with artificial intelligence, permanent artificial hearts, and cars designed entirely in virtual reality environments are all nuts-and-bolts realities in the here-and-now, not in a distant, unattainable future. The challenge that remains for technology and engineering is to mass produce and mass market these technologies, and therein lies the crux of many of this years must-read stories.In no particular order, the editorial staff of ASME.org lists the ten most compelling, intriguing, and in some cases, mind-blowing stories from the year 2017. Along with the list, which we hope you find as interesting as we do, we would also like to wish all of our readers a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season. We hope you will continue to visit ASME.org for all that is cutting edge in the new year and long into the future.Robophobia Bridging the Uncanny Valley Robophobia sums up the feeling of many people toward the ir up-and-coming mechanical cohorts. Regardless of how useful, friendly, or life-like robots may seem, there will always be those who are just a little creeped out.An Artificial Heart to Beat For many years, science has been in search of a true artificial heart, one that could serve as a reliable and permanent replacement for the one we were all born with. Now, thanks to researchers at the Oregon Health Science University and an ingenious single rotary pump that does the work of the entire heart this may be possible.Ceramics Make Hypersonic Flight a Possibility Harkening back to the glory days of NASA and the field of aeronautics, this speculative feature on the possibility of air travel at speeds beyond Mach 5 marvels at the prospect of reducing a trip from London to Sydney to under an hour - if you believe some estimates.Robot Teachers Transform Education In early 2016, Jill Watson was assigned to be the teaching assistant for Dr. Ashok Goels graduate course in artificial intel ligence at Georgia Tech. After one semester, he revealed the assistant was an AI-backed robot based on IBMs Watson system, the next step on the path to personalized learning.The Third Thumb is a design project investigating the relationship between the body and the prosthetic. Image Danielle ClodeChic Prosthetics Why cant prosthetic limbs be fashionable and cool as well as functional? Danielle Clode of Dani Clode Design says they can, and she has the working models to prove it. Looking at her Synchronized artificial arm, the editors at ASME.org had that familiar thought when confronted by the obvious Why didnt someone think of this sooner?Top 5 Potential Improvements to Solar Power Solar power and other sources of renewable energy continue to gain influence and attention but their true potential has yet to be realized. Here are the top five ways that solar could get over the hump and truly become an ubiquitous form of everyday energy.New 3D Printer Extruder Takes Manufacturing to Ne xt Level Three short years ago, large-area 3D printers could print about 10 pounds of high-resolution materie per hour. Today, thanks to new extruder and nozzle technologies, these printers can pump out about 100 pounds of even higher-resolution material in the same time, making the possibilities for manufacturing endless.Money Talks with Renewable Energy Renewable energy has arrived in corporate America, the result of renewable energy providers and advocates speaking a language that resonates almost universally in C-suites and boardrooms worldwide Cost.Virtual reality is coming to a car near you. Image FordManufacturing Cars with Virtual Reality Car manufacturers such as General Motors and Ford are increasingly using virtual reality to test design plans, tolerances, and safety features in virtual environments to ensure their products are evaluated at a very early phase of the process, thereby reducing the time and costs.Cyborg Dragonfly Takes to the Air While not quite as terrifyin g as The Terminator, the idea of an army of living, breathing cyborg dragonflies controlled by sensors and light pulses is a bit unsettling. Yet a team at Draper Lab, MIT, has created just that. For Further Discussion

Trade Secret Attorney Career Requirements and Duties

Trade Secret Attorney Career Requirements and DutiesTrade Secret Attorney Career Requirements and DutiesTrade secret law is a branch of intellectual property law that addresses the protection of proprietary information against unauthorized commercial use by others.Misappropriation of trade secrets is forbidden by the Uniform Trade Secrets Act (UTSA) and the Economic Espionage Act of 1996. Unlike other forms of intellectual property, such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks, organizations cannot register their trade secretswith the government to protect their proprietary information. The only way to ensure the protection of a trade secret is to keep the information confidential, and this can necessitate a variety of legal interventions. Lawyers practicing trade secret law help their clients protect secret and proprietary information, and they litigate the misappropriation of trade secrets. Job Responsibilities of a Trade Secret Lawyer Trade secret attorneys help clients navigat e the landscape of trade secret enforcement and litigation. They can work on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants. Attorneys help to protect a clients trade secrets through licensing agreements, non-disclosure agreements, confidentiality agreements, and non-competition agreements, all of which are becoming increasingly common in todays business world. These agreements restrict those with certain knowledge or information from disseminating it to others. These attorneys also handle litigation relating to the misuse, misapplication of or theft of trade secrets with or without such agreements and restrictions in place. Litigation can include claims of unfair competition, unfair solicitation, and the violation of non-competition agreements. Attorneys can file lawsuits or seek restraining orders or preliminary injunctions against former employees and competitors who seek to misappropriate a companys trade secrets. Why Trade Secret Law Is Hot Trade secrets are one of an organizatio ns most valuable assets. Todays competitive business landscape has placed a companys trade secrets- such as product formulations, customer lists, and manufacturing processes- at risk of theft by employees, business partners, and competitors. For example, the booming oil industry is fueling trade secrets litigation within the domestic energy industry where companies are increasingly suing one another for raiding each others workforces. Lawsuits in other industries are also increasing as companies claim that their top workers are unlawfully swiped by rivals, either for their talent, their secrets, or both. When those employees move from one company to another, they often take with them a vast knowledge of their former companys processes, customer lists, and product formulations. Because trade secrets provide a company with a competitive advantage in the marketplace, a company must be able to operate profitably without having their trade secrets compromised. Lawyers practicing trade se cret law play an important role in helping clients protect secret and proprietary information and enforcing trade secret laws. Education and Background In addition to a law degree and admittance to a states bar association, a background in science, engineering, or technology is often helpful as well. A secondary degree or related experience can help in understanding and protecting a clients secret technologies, chemical formulas, manufacturing processes, and other secret information. For example, a lawyer with a chemistry degree might lend his talents to pharmaceutical companies to help protect their medicinal formulas. Lawyers with engineering backgrounds can be in a better position to understand and protect a clients manufacturing processes.

6 Ways to Make a Difference at Work

6 Ways to Make a Difference at Work6 Ways to Make a Difference at WorkAlthough it cant be measured on a performance review, making a difference at the amtsstube is personally rewarding - and likely to help you get ahead in your career. Celebrate Make a Difference Day today by putting a smile on a coworkers face. Here are six suggestions1. Praise good work.Make it a point to praise your peers for a job well done. If youre a manager, recognize an employee for good work regularly. After all, who doesnt like being noticed for a superb effort? Hard-working professionals want to feel they are valued by the organization, and managers who offer praise will be helping their own retention efforts.2. Assist a new coworker.Remember how stressful the first few days, weeks or months were when you were the new employee? You not only had to learn how to do your job but also learn your way around the office, meet new people and figure out the office politics. Make a new colleagues day by helping him find what he needs and feel welcome.3. Take a coworker to lunch.Its easier to develop rapport with a coworker outside the office. Take a coworker to lunch so you can get to know herbei as a person, not merely as a fellow employee. Itll help build camaraderie inside the office.4. Say thank you.Did a coworker help you with a project or even something non-work-related? Be sure to thank him for the kind gesture, and return the kindness in the future.5. Help keep the office clean.A creative work environment should encourage new ideas and productivity, but thats difficult to achieve if the office is cluttered or odorous. Show pride in your workplace by taking the initiative to help keep the office clean.6. Teach a coworker.Help a coworker learn a new skill, whether its a simple trick for doing a regular task or a bigger endeavor. She will appreciate your willingness to help her perform her job better, and the kind gesture will prove to your boss that youre a team player.How do you make a difference at work? Share your ideas in the comments section.RELATED POSTThe Secret to Overcoming Poor Communication in the Workplace - You

Is Your Bracket Busting Your Job Search

Is Your Bracket Busting Your Job SearchIs Your Bracket Busting Your Job SearchDontsideline your job search for the love of the game.I have a confession to make. I am addicted to the television show, The Biggest Loser. I love watching the contestants compete for the title of Biggest Loser and accomplish their dreams of healthier, thinner bodies. The before and after shots are just incredibleBut what I really love about the show is that it doesnt sugar coat the journey. You watch people break down, fall over and truly battle with themselves along the path to regaining control of their lives. It doesnt happen overnight. As trainer Dolvett Quince would say, it takes a lot of hard work and determination. Each season a new theme is chosen for the show. The themes range from battle of the ages to tackling childhood obesity.I bring this up because as I welches looking at some data from Ladders, I was reminded of Season 13 the season of no excuses.In a recent survey we found that 70 percent of those polled said that the job search was their top priority. However, as my colleague Thomas Murphy discussed in his article, job seeker activity has taken a serious hit since March Madness NCAA basketball tournaments have descended upon us. In fact, job seeker searches fell almost 30 percent during game-time in comparison to historical usage data.Not surprisingly, men were 10 percent less active in their job search than women. In addition, we found that those making less than $100K were 5 percent less active than their more seasoned colleagues.While I may not be a sports fanatic, Ive grown up in a household of them and (kind of) understand the obsession. However, March Madness is no excuse for letting your job search slide.The job search is a full-time job and you need to treat it as such. If youre going to block off time to watch the basketball games or dedicate time to anything else thats really important or interesting to you make sure you also pencil in time to work on yo ur job-search activities.Dont underestimate the power of your smartphone or tablet, especially when youre trying to balance your job search with other priorities. With all the advances in technology, its even easier to keep your search going while on the go. Whether youre emailing with a recruiter, putting in a little FaceTime with a valuable networking contact, or searching for relevant jobs, you can remain a productive job seeker and an avid college basketball fan.

What to Do About a Pay Gap at Your Workplace

What to Do About a Pay Gap at Your WorkplaceWhat to Do About a Pay Gap at Your Workplace It happens all the time. Someone who has just been hired, or hasnt worked for a company for very long, makes mora money than someone who has been there for many years and proven themselves to be a valuable employee. For instance, there are many instances where a male is going to earn more than a woman who has more training and experience. Have you found out that you are earning a lower salary than someone who is a more recent hire, or has less experience than you? Or does your company not pay fairly ? If so, it may be time for you to look for ways to be able to do something about it.First of all, you need to remember that it is not your co-workers fault that they are being paid more than you are . Yes, you can be angry, but it is never a good idea to confront a co-worker about their salary. All it does is cause both of you to feel uncomfortable, and it causes a lot of anger in t he workplace. Instead of being angry at them, use the fact that they are earning more as a reason to ask for a raise.One thing that you should never do is ask your co-workers what they earn . Unless you are making comparable salaries, someone is going to end up angry because they are being paid less than others. This can lead to conflict within the team, and a lack of productivity that is not going to help you get the raise you deserve.If you are a woman, it is important that you know about the Equal Pay Act. This act prohibits employers from paying women less than their male counterparts when they have the same amount of experience. If you are not a woman but are a minority, you may be eligible for some form of protection. If you think that you are being discriminated based on age, gender, or disability, the best thing to do is to contact the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EOCC) .Unfortunately, most other employees have no legislative coverage. If you are not in one of the above-mentioned groups, you will need to consider your situation and decide whether you should address the issue with your employer.Before you walk into your boss office and ask for a raise, do some research as to what you should be earning , based on your training, experience, years with the company, geographic location, etc. If you do know for a fact that some of your co-workers are earning more than you, this is good information to be able to obere extremitt yourself with. Of course, as mentioned, it is not a good idea to ask co-workers about their salaries.Just because you shouldnt ask co-workers about their salaries, it doesnt mean that there arent other ways to find out. For instance, if you work for a university or a public company, some of the salaries are going to be public information. Or, there may be an association for your particular industry that offers surveys about salaries. It is a good idea to research salaries at least once annually.One of the most difficu lt things about asking for a raise is how to approach the situation in the first place. It is never a good idea to ask if the company is going through a transition period, as the money just isnt going to be there. You also need to be able to gauge your employers mood. If you get them on a bad day, you arent likely to get what you ask for.When you do decide to approach your employer, dont go in making demands. That isnt going to get you anywhere. It is better to negotiate. Tell them why you feel that you deserve a raise, and have confidence in your own value. This is going to get you a lot further than just going in and saying you want a raise, or else.It may be that you are being overlooked for a lot of big projects at work . If this is the case, instead of asking for a raise right away, try asking for more responsibility. Ask to be put on the teams that are doing the big projects, or to do an extra project on your own. Ask if there are training opportunities, and if not, take ou tside courses and workshops to gain more skills and knowledge, suggests training manager at IGotOffer .If you are given the opportunities you seek, dont waste them. If you are getting training, take in every ounce of information possible. If you are given bigger projects to work on, show them what you are really made of. These are the things that are going to put you in the running for a raise, or even a promotion.What will you do if your employer says that they will give you a raise, but they never follow through on their promise? Or, what if the company just cant afford to give you a raise at this time? You can only wait for so long before you are going to become even more disenchanted, and your work is going to suffer because you will stop caring. It is important to set a deadline for what you want. For instance, if you have been working at your company for more than a year without a raise, you may need to decide that if you do not receive a raise within the next six months, thi s may not be the company for you.If you are not getting the raise that you deserve, or other forms of compensation such as extra vacation time, a paid bonus, etc., it may be time to start considering other options. There are other companies out there that will value your experience and skills, and be willing to pay you the salary you truly deserve. Basically, if your current employer doesnt see your value, find one who does.

The Basic Facts of Warehouse Associate Resume

The Basic Facts of Warehouse Associate Resume Its also flexible, so in case you need to make your own letter, that option is available. There are a lot of reasons why you may take on a part-time work. One mora thing that you ought to do is rewrite it in every work application to make more updated. Now you know the forms of resumes and you are already able to determine which type is more appropriate for you, simply download your favorite template on your own personal computer and you can begin writing your own resume. Many businesses and headhunters are going mobile, and candidates have a large selection of user-friendly apps. Based on the essence of the organization, a customer service associate might be required to do cash register operations. Answer phones and look after customers needs. Help clients and execute carry-in-out tasks. Whats important is that all of the essential information is stated so you are able to find the interest of the recruiter. You will nonethe less receive perfectly optimized resumes and youll select your life simpler Only go back further in case you have earlier experience that is immensely relevant. If you dont have previous housekeeping experience, you will need to use examples from your other professional experiences or personal life to show that youll be an important worker. What You Dont Know About Warehouse Associate Resume If youre uncertain how to begin it, you can merely return and review our Warehouse Associate resume sample. If youre qualified, we possess the perfect Warehouse Associate resume sample to highlight your abilities and abilities. A Warehouse worker can be assigned lots of tasks and duties. All in all, he serves a very important function in the business cycle. The Warehouse Associate Resume Stories For warehousing, the extra skills section is normally more important than the education section. Both could let you find exceptional but only one can allow you to stretch of land work. Ensure youre acquainted with all the work search abilities and strategies out there. Your probability to receiving the job can get very slender when it happens. A Startling Fact about Warehouse Associate Resume Uncovered If you would like to improve your odds of getting work, then you ought to have a great resume objective. If youve got previous housekeeping experience, obtaining a new job ought to be straightforward. If youre interested in getting a work here, youre probably wondering what type of positions that there are likely to be. As a guideline, always be sure your resume is usually honest and clear as possible. Life After Warehouse Associate Resume Warehouse work involves plenty of unique varieties of skills based on the sort of industry. My my previous work experience doesnt have anything to do with the entertainment market. Gathering information about just what the employer is searching for and matching your own abilities is something which you do when writing a resume anyway you must do the exact same here. It is tough to say too much in a resume objective as they are easily able to become selfish as a result of deficiency of space. The New Fuss About Warehouse Associate Resume Career aspirants ought to keep an eye out for a resume template rather than a curriculum vitae template. To assist you in getting through the strain of writing resumes, were supplying you with Resume Template samples from our site. Today, the quantity of totally free online resume templates is astounding. First, they must be comprehensive. The templates are helpful as it is going to aid you to make a professional resume even when you dont have the notion of formatting a customized resume which may incorporate all the exact important particulars. They are helpful since it will help you to create a professional resume even should you not have the thought of formatting a customized resume that can incorporate all the vital information. The Benefits of Warehouse Assoc iate Resume You are a fantastic warehouse associate, and now you must persuade the hiring manager. Being a real warehouse worker can be among the most physically demanding job. After that, go on to construct your own warehouse associate resume so it is possible to find the job and get started working Furthermore, you can look for warehouse associate jobs on Monster. Working in a warehouse isnt something to be dismissed. Byron Turner quantifies his experience in a few of distinct ways. Begin with the managers name.

How to Manage an Employee During a Personal Crisis - Spark Hire

How to Manage an Employee During a Personal Crisis - Spark HireWhen an employee is going through a personal crisis of any kind, it can impact their work performance. Particularly when youve managed this person for a while, dealing with this kind of personal issue can feel uncomfortable. You may not know where to draw the line between offering support and ensuring that this person continues to do their job. Here are some tips for succeeding as a manager when your employee is struggling at home.Toe the line between manager and friendNo one wants to be heartless when an employee is going through a personal struggle, but spending hours rehashing the latest divorce drama can blur the line between manager and friend. The employee may end up taking advantage of this, often without even realizing that theyre doing so. When you know all of the latest details about the employees struggles, itll be hard to keep them on track professionally, and may allow them to neglect their duties within the arbeitszimmer. You can be sympathetic and supportive while still serving as an effective manager. Listen when needed and when appropriate, but dont get heavily invested in the situation at home.Treat everyone equallyEven if an employee is struggling at home, its important to treat them just the same as you would any other team member. By giving this person special treatment, it can cause resentment and tension within the amtsstube and may create drama between employees. Though it may be challenging, its important to make sure that everyone receives equal treatment during the workday, regardless of whats going on at home.Have a backup plan in placeIn the event of a personal crisis, particularly the death of a family member, its likely that your employee will need to miss work. To prevent chaos from ensuing when this happens, its important to always have a backup plan in place. Once this plan is set up, make sure that everyone in the office is aware of the details. Its better to estab lish this contingency plan before its actually needed in order to keep the company running smoothly.How have you handled an employees personal issues? Let us know in the comments