Wednesday, November 27, 2019

The Smallest 3D Print Job Yet

The Smallest 3D Print Job Yet The Smallest 3D Print Job Yet The Smallest 3D Print Job YetTiny soccer players of the world, rejoice. Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratories have produced the universes smallest 3D printed soccer ball. Not only have they created the technique to 3D print such nanostructures, theyve developed software that will allow anyone to create their own nanoprototypes with focused electron beam-induced deposition technology.The method springs from hilfsmittelation and techniques already used to make integrated circuit mask repairs Gas is flooded into a system and adsorbed on surfaces. When an electron beam strikes the target area theres a probability of creating a reaction.In the early 2000s, Japanese researchers built solid three-dimensional objects at the nanoscale with an electron beam that scanned back and forth, building up layers one at a time, much as todays macro 3D printers do. They showed that there is a pathway to make truly 3D objects, says Jaso n Davidson Fowlkes, a staff scientist at Oak Ridges Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, who leads the research. But moving from solid blocks to more complicated structures is only one of the hurdles that needed to be jumped. Another big one was keeping things clean previously, a lot of unwanted carbon would be left where the beam hit metal. Weve simultaneously shown both these things, says Fowlkes. You can make something three dimensional and you can purify these materials too.Focused electron-beam-induced deposition enables direct-write synthesis of freestanding 3D nanostructures. Image Oak Ridge National LaboratoriesTo put their beam to proper use, Fowlkes and his team had to grapple with the statistical nature of electron beam deposition. Material is added at the intersection of the beam and the object. If that contact is lost, the process comes to a halt. As electrons reisepass through the solid they send secondary electrons flying, increasing the chance of lost beam contac t. Fowlkes developed a finite difference method to overcome the problem. Its almost like a statistical model, he says. You cant believe any one darbietung it tells you, but cumulatively over time, when you average those events, you start to see a realistic picture. The simulation has to include a lot of variables adsorption of the gas, its distribution on a surface, and how it moves around once its there.The potential applications are as many as they are small, including nanosensors, nanobiotechnology, quantum computing, and anything that might need to be built on a nanoscaffold. To put the technology directly into the hands of those who can make the most use of it, Fowlkes has been working on making the whole system user friendly. Ive created a software package that allows you to design an object on the screen in three dimensions, he says. You can go in and run a few experiments for calibration, upload those into this program, and then it spits out a file which you can then take to the instrument and deposit the object that youve created on the screen. In the simulation, users will be able to test out the many different ways the beam can be scanned to make the same object. Fowlkes has run the same process on Oak Ridges helium ion microscope, which has allowed him to make the same structures, but smaller, faster, and more efficiently.But however efficient new iterations of the technology, this nanoprinting is currently most useful for prototyping. Someone will have to invent a multi-beam electron instrument before it can be put to use in manufacturing. And theres still a kink or two to work out on Fowlkess end. Right now, removing carbon from the object to clean it results in some distortion. This is sort of the last step, he says.Once we can get rid of this distortion, its a game on kind ofthing.Michael Abrams is an independent writer.Its almost like a statistical model. You cant believe any one event it tells you, but cumulatively over time, when you average those events, you start to see a realistic picture. Jason Davidson Fowlkes, Oak Ridge National Lab

Friday, November 22, 2019

6 Ways to Proofread Your Resume

6 Ways to Proofread Your Resume6 Ways to Proofread Your Resume0Whether youre crafting your very first resume or revising a years-old document, proofreading your resume is an essential step for all job binnenseekers at any professional level. Mistakes big and small can mean the difference between getting an interview and getting the rejection letter. Dont let a resume leave your hands without following these tips for proofreading your resume.Here are six ways to proofread your resume1. Read it line by line, genau by word.Go slowly and read each word without skimming. This is a great way to catch missing words, double words (such as the the), and misused words (youre instead of your).2. Read it out loud.Reading your resume out loud will help you catch places where your words dont flow well, places where commas are needed, and places where you might need to expand.3. Read it backwards.Reading your resume backwards will force your brain to slow down and see each word on its own. Youll mo re easily be able to find spelling and capitalization errors.4. Use an online program or professional service.It can never hurt to run your resume through an online program, such as Grammarly ( members get a Grammarly discount), to help catch errors. Seeking out professional services (such as Kibin) will get your resume in front of a professional proofreader.5. Have someone else proofread it.Having someone else proofread your resume provides it a fresh look. Without having read your resume before, they can more easily spot errors your eyes may have glazed over. If you have one, a writer or editor friend willing to be a second set of eyes on your resume can be particularly helpful.6. Print it out.We often read things differently in print than on screen. Having your entire resume on one sheet (or two) of paper, without having to scroll down your screen, can help you see the entire picture. Look particularly at the style and set up of your resumeare your periods, bullet points, dashes, hyphens, and numbers all consistent?Proofreading your resume is a must to have the most professional and accurate reflection of you as a job seeker and to land an interview. Following these six ways to proofread your resume will put you on the right path to job search success.Readers, what steps do you take to proofread your resume? Share with us below

Thursday, November 21, 2019

How to Ask a Former Boss to Mentor You - The Muse

How to Ask a Former Boss to Mentor You - The MuseHow to Ask a Former Boss to Mentor YouDear HR Professional,I think my former anfhrer would make a great mentor. How do I go about asking him in a way that isnt awkward?Signed,Modest MenteeDear Modest Mentee,First things first, congratulations Youre taking a great step forward on your path of self-improvement by considering who you want as a mentor. Oftentimes, having your former boss play that part is a natural fit. After all, they know the fruchtwein about your performance- including where you excel and where you have room for growth. They also have more experience, are further along in their careers, and may be better able to guide you as a result.But, lets face it- actually asking your former boss to mentor you is the nerve-wracking part. Here are four easy steps to help you pop that question. Step 1 Explain Your ReasoningYour previous manager might seem like a no-brainer option. But, that doesnt mean being a mentor is an obvious fi t to them. Start your request by outlining why you think theyre a solid match.Were they a good coach? Were they able to give you honest, unfiltered feedback? Would you like to reach the same career aspirations? Do they have an extensive professional network?There are a million different reasons why you want them specifically to be personally invested in your growth. By articulating the why, you can better direct the goals of the relationship.Step 2 Outline Your GoalsSpeaking of goals, this step involves deciding what you want to get out of the mentorship. What does success look like for you and how could your former boss support you in that?Outlining your objectives from the outset gives your previous supervisor a clearer understanding of what youre aiming to achieve- which, in turn, allows them to get a better grasp on whether or not they could actually help, as well as how much of a commitment theyre looking at. Step 3 Pop the QuestionOnce youve laid that groundwork, youre ready t o make that ask.Whether you ask in-person or through email (this article explains how to do that) is up to you and the font of relationship you already have. Either way, you should be prepared with the following talking pointsWhy youre looking for a mentorWhy you think they can helpWhat youre hoping to achieveWhat youre willing to commit toPerhaps most importantly, dont forget to end by thanking them for their considerationStep 4 Monitor the CuesIf they are taking weeks or months to respond, now might not be the best time for them. Dont get offended or try to force it. Instead, leave it on a good note by sending a follow-up email stating that you assume theyre not interested, but that you still appreciate the awesome example they set for you in your career. Remember, you never know if theyll be available in the future or how your paths will cross againAsking your former boss to be your mentor can be nerve-wracking. But, in most cases, your supervisor will be flattered that you thoug ht so highly of them. Put these steps to work, and youll make that request in a way thats polite, professional, and way less awkward than youre anticipating. Good luckThis article is part of our Ask an Expert series- a column dedicated to helping you tackle your biggest career concerns. Our experts are excited to answer all of your burning questions, and you can submit one by emailing us at editor(at)themuse(dot)com and using Ask an Honest HR Professional in the subject line.Your letter may be published in an article on The Muse. All letters to Ask an Expert become the property of Daily Muse, Inc and will be edited for length, clarity, and grammatical correctness.