Technology moves so fast and one area where you can see a visible change is in display technology. Compare a modern TV to one that is just 5 years old and you will see a huge difference in the quality of the picture and the depth of the color. It seems like new technologies are being developed all the time and the quality will just keep getting better. It’s not just about quality either, there are also advancements in things like energy efficiency and portability too.
Over the last few years, TV makers, in particular, moved away from simply focusing on picture quality and starting adding new features like 3D and creating smart TVs that can run apps like Netflix. But 3D didn’t really catch on and smart TVs now come as standard, which means that companies are starting to look for new ways to revolutionize display technology. These are some of the latest innovations that are likely to have a big impact in the coming years.
The majority of people that bought a TV in the last few years have a 4K TV, but even that technology is being rendered obsolete by OLED (organic light emitting diodes) and QLED (quantum dot LED) TVs. These TVs are already out there and available to buy, but they are incredibly expensive, so not many people have them. There is also a debate about which technology is better, with Samsung championing QLED and LG pushing for OLED. Both technologies promise improved color contrast and better picture, and they don’t require the use of a backlight like a traditional LCD TV as the diodes in both TVs emit their own light. At the moment, there isn’t much separating the two but QLED TVs have not reached their full potential so only time will tell which technology will come out on top.
Optical Bonding
Display technology isn’t just about TVs, it has a lot of applications in areas like aerospace, military, construction, and agriculture. This gives rise to the need for durable, practical displays, which is where optical bonding comes in. Optical bonding is a process that uses an optically clear adhesive to attach a lens or touch panel to the front of a screen. This allows for increased durability, better readability in sunlight, and a reduction in dust and condensation, so screens can be used in more difficult environments. This will allow for a lot more applications for display technology.
Foldable Screens
The biggest innovation in display technology right now has to be foldable screens. Smartphone manufacturers are always looking for ways to make our life easier and improve the way that our phones work, and for many of them, foldable screens are the next step. There are already a few phones with foldable screens on the market but this technology can be used for so much more. There is a lot of research going into flexible screens with the eventual end goals of creating screens that can simply be rolled up and carried around wherever you go, which could have a massive impact.
There is no way to know for sure what the future of display technology holds but it is likely that these innovations will have a big part to play.
You’ve just clicked on this article, so the odds are good that you’re a fan of craft beer, or marijuana, or both. You’ll be pleased to know that more and more brewers are beginning to experiment with “weed beer,” meaning beer suffused with cannabis. But that description is somewhat misleading. Currently, there are a couple variations of this budding fusion product: (1) “beer” with CBD and/or THC substituted for the alcohol, in which case you’re getting high from what amounts to a beer-flavored soft drink, and (2) real beer that has had cannabis terpenes added to it.
This article deals with the latter, a new constellation in the ever-expanding universe of craft beer.
What are terpenes?
Terpenes are organic hydrocarbons that, among many other things, lend weed its distinct aroma and flavor. In addition to cannabis, terpenes are found in a wide variety of plants and essential oils, including those derived from lemons and limes, pine needles, and lavender—all of which contain therapeutic properties. For instance, the essential oil of lavender is known to relieve anxiety, as well as effectively treat fungal infections and hair loss.
Cannabis contains particularly high levels of terpenes, which work together with cannabinoids and other compounds to both enhance your psychoactive experience and provide medicinal benefits. Said benefits range from pain and inflammation relief to treatment of serious conditions like epilepsy and cancer.
Terpenes extracted naturally from non-marijuana sources (from plants for example) are being mixed into ‘terpene blends’ – like those available at true-blue.co – to mimic the flavor, aroma, and therapeutic properties of individual strains (like Purple Haze or Pineapple Express). These can then be used to create new products like vape juice, edibles, CBD oil, and even beer.
How do terpenes make their way into beer?
Of all the terpenes present in cannabis (there are over 200), myrcene and limonene are the ones most commonly used in beer. Myrcene, known for its sedative effects, is the most abundant terpene in cannabis. Studies have suggested that myrcene may help to relax muscles and reduce pain and inflammation. Limonene, meanwhile, is found in various citrus fruits and used widely in perfumes, foods, solvents and medicines. It’s also a proven antidepressant with antioxidant and anticancer properties.
Here’s how it works. These and other selected terpenes are purchased from companies that extract cannabis oil from natural sources. Brewers then incorporate the terpenes into the brewing process by combining them with hops (which have their own terpenes). Some breweries choose to first break down the terpenes using solvents, while others introduce them directly into the “bitter wort,” or wort to which hops have already been added.
The result is a craft beer that contains hints of the fragrance and flavor of cannabis, but no THC. With that said, beer suffused with both terpenes and THC seems like the next logical step in this growing movement, considering the increasing support for federal legalization of cannabis in the US—including among lawmakers and leading presidential candidates.
One thing is certain: weed beer is here to stay. Next time you’re out and about, ask your bartender about any local terpene-infused brews. He just might have one on tap.
If your business holds a lot of stock, you need somewhere to properly store it all. Well organised storage, for stock or other business materials, can help you to keep your business running smoothly. From your stock room to your desk, your storage choices can make a big difference.
A storage room that is kept disorganised is frustrating. You can’t find what you want, and that can cause delays to your business operations. To keep your stock room well organised, avoid turning it into a maze. Create neat rows with clear walkways between them so you can get to everything easily without having to climb around stock. Label any boxes clearly, and label the space on the shelf where the box should go. This means everything can always go back to where it should be kept, and everything stays well organised.
Make it simpler to get at what you need, by keeping the fastest and best selling items nearest the door. This makes them faster to find when you need them, meaning you fulfill orders faster, keeping profits up.
Don’t let slow sellers linger on the shelves, taking up space which could be filled with items that sell. If something is hanging around for too long, have a sale or a giveaway to shift them. Don’t let dead items linger in the stock room.
Make Smart Storage Choices
Make the right choices for storage. Some businesses will require different amounts of space. If you need a lot of space, you could invest in industrial sheds, which have ample storage space. If you don’t need as much room, you could choose to save some money by opting for secure self storage. Many self storage facilities are now accessible twenty-four hours a day and are very open to business use. Whatever option you choose, make sure it’s secure and easily scalable for busy and quiet periods of business.
If you’re renting storage space, whether a warehouse or a storage unit, make sure you check what you can store. Some storage facilities have rules about you can and can’t keep in them. Most business storage, such as stock, tools or spare furniture, would be allowed, but often perishable items are not, and there may be other rules. Check first to avoid disappointment later.
Make sure that your storage space is properly insured. Not all rental spaces will be covered by your business insurance, and you don’t want to end up out of pocket if stock is ever damaged or stolen.
Create A Home Office
If your a small business owner, space can be challenging to find, especially if you’re running your business from your home. If you can, take over a spare room to turn into work and storage space.
Use a bookcase as a room divider to section off working areas and storage areas. The shelves can be used for useful storage too, for office supplies and equipment.
If you’re storing stock at home, make sure you’re storing it safely. Think about possible hazards like falling boxes or trailing wires. Do you have adequate delivery access? If your stock is large or heavy, it might be easier to store things in the garage instead of in the loft.
Cut Down On Paper
If you can, try and reduce the number of filing cabinets taking up space in your office by adopting cloud based storage for digital documents. You can start off with free storage, or upgrade to a paid account if you need more storage space. Cloud based storage is also useful if you often work from different locations, or have to regularly share documents with remote staff or clients.
For online accounting, look for document storage that will work with this, giving you the extra advantage of being able to attach invoices to specific transactions and other useful business tasks.
Combine Storage With Business Operations
If you’re a small business dealing mostly with online sales, you can make the most of your time and storage by creating different zones within your storage area. Make a designated zone for packing and dispatching, close to the stock. Add a small desk and somewhere to keep packing supplies, and you can prepare orders and get them shipped out much faster. You’ll save time and money on transporting goods somewhere else to be packed and shipped.
Use Appropriate Containers
Storage that hasn’t been properly organised can lead to stock being lost or damaged, both of which can hurt your profits. You can limit the risk of this by storing things in the proper containers.
Paper goods should be kept in archive boxes. This prevents the paper from turning yellow and becoming brittle with age, and from becoming faded from sunlight getting to them. Transparent tubs are a good idea for small items, as you can see what you want, helping you to find them faster. It also means you can see immediately when stock is running low.
If you’re storing things in cardboard boxes, choose ones with lids. These are much easier to stack, so they will take up less space than boxes which you can’t stack. If you have clothing to store, use garment covers and hang things on rails. This will keep hanging items in good condition and protected from creasing and dust.
Getting a good storage system can save you time and money in the long run. You’ll be free to work on growing your business, rather than looking for lost stock, paying storage bills or replacing damaged items.
Storage might not seem like an obvious business priority, but by getting it right, you can make all kinds of business processes easier. By storing things properly, you can save yourself time by making it easier to find, pack and ship stock, and save money by keeping things prompt and minimising lost or damaged stock. Get your storage in good order and tick one worry off your list of business concerns. Instead, you can focus on growing your business.
Choosing to renovate the driveway is a huge job. You should consider that your driveway is more than just somewhere functional for your car to go, but somewhere that can be earning your home more money because of the aesthetics. When your driveway is done right, you can add value to your home as well as adding a beautiful driveway that works the way you want it to.
What most people don’t consider is that a driveway takes a lot of work. It’s not just that there is a large amount of work that goes into digging up the driveway, but that you have a lot of choices to make regarding the type of driveway that you want. There are four different types we’re going to discuss in this article, so let’s take a look:
Concrete. It’s considered to be the most popular driveway type, concrete, and when you buy from companies like Ridge Concrete you know you’re going to be getting the very best service. The best thing? Concrete doesn’t cost the earth to install in your drive. It’s durable, made to last and you can change the texture, the color and even how rich you want it. There are those who augment it to look more expensive, too!
Brick. Those who love a classy look will love a brick driveway. They have a chic appearance, and you can make cool patterns out of them, too. They’re completely unlike any other driveway out there, and as they come in a variety of colors, you can choose to customize yours the way that you want. The one drawback is that it can be expensive, but you do get exactly what you pay for with it.
Asphalt. Yet another popular choice for the drive, it doesn’t cost much to install and it’s easy to do it. The fact it’s black means that you’re going to see the snow melt quite quickly – no waiting around! Asphalt only comes in black, but that’s not a bad thing. If you want a customized driveway, asphalt is not the best option for you. You do also have to get it resealed every few years, which can mean that over time, it gets a little more expensive.
Gravel. A rocky surface, gravel is a popular option for driveways. This is mainly because it’s readily available and this allows you to save a good amount of money. You can get gravel in a lot of colors, which gives you the chance to personalize your driveway. Gravel is excellent as a material when it comes to water runoff, too, so you won’t have to worry about a water-logged drive. Gravel shifts around a lot, so you’ll need to rake over it to keep it level from time to time. A lot of contractors will tell you of the importance of edging and layering the driveway so that the gravel is kept well. It’s not the best material for snowy regions, either, so make sure that you choose well.
If your parents are feeling a little more niggles than usual, their memory is not what it used to be and they are not as mobile as they once were, it might be time to have a conversation about living arrangements. It can be difficult to consider your parents getting older when you have memories of them being so young and active when you were a child. However, now may be the time when you take on the more parental role. There are a number of ways you can secure the living arrangements of your parents so that all parties involved can be happy and well cared for.
Move In
You could choose to have your parents move in with you. This can be a fantastic idea if your parents don’t have any medical needs or don’t require around the clock care. Having grandparents in the home can change the family dynamic which can take some getting used to, but it can also be fun. Your kids will adore having their grandparents around and this sort of living arrangement can help your little darlings learn patience and tolerance. However, some ground rules will need to be set prior to this living arrangement going ahead. It can feel stifling having your parents living with you.
If your home is small, it can be tricky to find any breathing space so consider this carefully. You may also need to make adjustments for your parents’ mobility. They may need some agedcare furniture to help them sit more comfortably, or you may need to lower work surfaces to help them remain independent.
Independent Living
If your parents are keen to keep their independence, they may need some help within their own home. You might need to hire a meals on wheels type service or you may need to secure some carers to visit your parents home once or twice a day. This could be to administer medication or to help with basic cleaning tasks. If your parents are not suffering with anything other than niggles or the odd mobility issue, independent living could be worthwhile.
Residential Care
If your parents require more urgent medical care, they need to enter a residential facility that can help meet their needs. It can be difficult not to feel guilty if this is the case. You might want to be the primary carer for your mom or dad, but with a young family of your own and a full time job, this can be impossible. Go to nursing homes with your parents and ensure that any choice to enter full time care is a joint one. Be supportive and allow them to take their time. This is a massive life adjustment so don’t rush them. Ensure that you visit every week, and stick to a routine. Ensure that they are happy in their new surroundings, and keep them part of the family unit that you know and love.
Seeing our parents grow older can be tough. However, check out these potential living arrangements and choose the best one to suit the needs of your mom and dad.
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