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May 18, 2020


In its 100-year history, the electric vacuum cleaner has become an indispensable home appliance for most people, and it's obvious why. Imagine picking all this sawdust out of the carpet by hand!

When you sip soda through a straw, you are utilizing the simplest of all suction mechanisms. Sucking the soda up causes a pressure drop between the bottom of the straw and the top of the straw. With greater fluid pressure at the bottom than the top, the soda is pushed up to your mouth. ­

This is the same basic mechanism at work in a vacuum cleaner, though the execution is a bit more complicated. In this article, we'll look inside a vacuum cleaner to find out how it puts suction to work when cleaning up the dust and debris in your house. As we'll see, the standard vacuum cleaner design is exceedingly simple, but it relies on a host of physical principles to clean effectively.

It may look like a complicated machine, but the conventional vacuum cleaner is actually made up of only six essential components:

·         An intake port, which may include a variety of cleaning accessories

·         An exhaust port

·         An electric motor

·         A fan

·         A porous bag

·         A housing that contains all the other components


When you plug the vacuum cleaner in and turn it on, this is what happens:

1.      The electric current operates the motor. The motor is attached to the fan, which has angled blades (like an airplane propeller).

2.      As the fan blades turn, they force air forward, toward the exhaust port (check out How Airplanes Work to find out what causes this).

3.      When air particles are driven forward, the density of particles (and therefore the air pressure) increases in front of the fan and decreases behind the fan.

This pressure drop behind the fan is just like the pressure drop in the straw when you sip from your drink. The pressure level in the area behind the fan drops below the pressure level outside the vacuum cleaner (the ambient air pressure). This creates suction, a partial vacuum, inside the vacuum cleaner. The ambient air pushes itself into the vacuum cleaner through the intake port because the air pressure inside the vacuum cleaner is lower than the pressure outside.

As long as the fan is running and the passageway through the vacuum cleaner remains open, there is a constant stream of air moving through the intake port and out the exhaust port. But how does a flowing stream of air collect the dirt and debris from your carpet? The key principle is friction.

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May 08, 2020 1

Most of the applications use your IMEI number to generate a code to unlock your phone for free. Some may use a different technique, but the concept is the same. So let’s dig in without delay!

1. doctorSIM

doctorSIM makes it really easy to unlock your phone. You have to fill up a request form on their website and choose the brand of your mobile, model number, location, and current network carrier.
Once they have received the request form and payment, you will receive an email with detailed set-by-step instructions to unlock your Android phone. If you have any problem with the process, the customer care is always available on chat, telephone, and social media.
This SIM unlock software removes the restrictions of your network carrier permanently and you will never have to repeat the process. You can update your phone normally and use it with any network across the world.
doctorSIM also provides a bulk discount when you have more than 5 phones to unlock. It also works for blacklisted phones though it doesn’t remove it from the blacklist. Your warranty will also stay intact using this legal process!

2. UnlockBase

UnlockBase is one of the best phone unlocking software with a simple and easy to follow the process. The solution has been in the market since 2004 and unlocked over 5 million phones in 165 countries.
You have to send in your IMEI number and select the model and manufacturer of your mobile. UnlockBase claims to have the best turnaround time in the industry and sends in your code as soon as possible. You need to follow the easy instructions and enter the code using your keypad to remove restrictions from your phone.
This mobile unlocking software comes with a money back guarantee and promises the lowest price on the internet. In case you find any other cheaper tools, the company is ready to negotiate their prices. You can also get any help you need from the 24/7 dedicated customer service.

3. Unlock My Phone – TheUnlockr

The Unlockr has partnered with Unlock My Phone to bring you the IMEI unlock service. The method works for both Android and iPhones and supports over 15,395 mobile phones around the world. The service has over 141,201 satisfied customers who used the cell phone unlocking software successfully to gain freedom!
Similar to the other phone unlocking services, you need to choose your model and make and send in your IMEI number. You can then make the payment using a number of payment methods such as Paypal, Western Union, cryptocurrencies, debit and credit cards.
The website also provides an option to track your order in case there is a delay in receiving your code.
TheUnlockr works even for difficult-to-unlock phones as the team consists of hackers and expert engineers. You can remove the restrictions of any carrier in the world and insert different SIM cards without any problem.

4. Unlockunit

Unlockunit unlocks GSM phones as quickly as in 1 minute! You can unlock your phone in over 200 countries like USA, Australia, Europe, and Asia. The company has been in business for more than 7 years and unlocked over 1 million phones.
You can use the technique for different providers like T-Mobile, AT&T, Vodafone, Rogers and more. The application needs your IMEI number which you can access by dialing *#06# on your phone. You have to make the payment and provide other details of your mobile and location.
To unlock your phone with this unlock tool, you have to first insert an unregistered SIM. Then just provide the unlock code you received in your email to unlock your phone permanently.
The phone unlocking service comes with a friendly team of representatives who are always ready to help you and answer your queries.

5. CellUnlocker.Net

CellUnlocker is not a free phone unlocking software, but you can look up for your code for free! You can be otherwise sure of competitive pricing and even get discounts on your order.
The safe and secure tool unlocks your phone using the IMEI number. After you put in your order, it is processed automatically so that you get the best turnaround time. Some carriers and models of phones require extra time, so you may need to wait.
You can use this phone unlocking software to unlock Android phones on GSM networks. Once the phone is unlocked, you can use it on most of the GSM networks in the world. You can change SIMs as many time as you want, without ever needing a password or code.

6. FreeUnlocks

If you have been wondering how to unlock a phone for free, this might be your best deal! FreeUnlocks is a paid phone unlocking service, but you can get it completely for free using TrialPay.
There’s nothing different about the unlocking mechanism- you need to provide your mobile and carrier details along with your IMEI number. In a short time, you will get the unlock code and simple instructions by email.
The solution was introduced in 2009 and has been used to unlock more than 96,500 phones. You don’t have to download anything, so there are no worries of malware or spyware. It is a 100% legal process without any threat to your mobile or hardware.
You can unlock different brands of mobiles like Sony, Apple, HTC, Samsung, Blackberry, Nokia and Huawei. If the service is not able to unlock your phone for any reason, you will receive a full refund of your payment.

7. DC-unlocker

DC-unlocker is a versatile phone unlock software which also works for modems and routers. The tool doesn’t use your IMEI number like other applications and you have to download the DC-unlocker client on your computer.
The program comes with a user-friendly interface and easy to use functions to unlock multiple devices in under 1 minute! You can use a standard USB cable to connect your device to your computer and perform the unlocking process. The mobile unlock software automatically detects your device and there’s no need to choose COM ports.
You can download DC-unlocker client for free and try it out on your phone or modem. Apart from unlocking, it can also be used to generate firmware update codes.
The website also offers other useful tools for your Android phone like unlimited unlock code generating programs.


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May 07, 2020
No one is immune to making mistakes – we are human, after all! But if we simply apologize and carry on as before, we're in danger of repeating the same errors.
When we don't learn from our mistakes, we inflict unnecessary stress on ourselves and on others, and we risk losing people's confidence and trust in us. In this article, we look at how to ensure that we take those lessons on board, and then use what we learn.
How to Stop Repeating Mistakes
Here are five steps to help you to learn from your mistakes, and to put what you discover into practice.
Note:
"Making a mistake" is not the same thing as "failing." A failure is the result of a wrong action, whereas a mistake usually is the wrong action. So, when you make a mistake, you can learn from it and fix it, whereas you can only learn from a failure.
1. Own Your Mistakes
You can't learn anything from a mistake until you admit that you've made it. So, take a deep breath and admit to yours, and then take ownership of it. Inform those who need to know, apologize , and tell them that you're working on a solution.
Saying "sorry" takes courage, but it's far better to come clean than to hide your error or, worse, to blame  others for it. In the long run, people will remember your courage and integrity long after they've forgotten the original mistake.
If, however, they hear of it from another source, your reputation will suffer and you may not get another opportunity to learn.
2. Reframe the Error
How you view your mistakes determines the way that you react to them, and what you do next.
Chances are, you'll view your error in a purely negative light for as long as any initial shock and discomfort about it persists. But, if you can reframe your mistake  as an opportunity to learn, you will motivate  yourself to become more knowledgeable and resilient.
When you've acknowledged your mistake, think about what you could do to prevent it from happening again. For example, if you didn't follow a process properly, consider introducing a more robust checklist or a clearer process document.
Stop beating yourself up, pause for a moment to reflect, and start thinking about how you can gain from the situation.
Tip:
Your mindset plays a significant role in how you view your mistakes and, importantly, in how you react to them.
If you have a "growth" mindset, you likely see mistakes as an opportunity to improve, and not as something that you are doomed to repeat because your mindset is "fixed" on the belief that you can't improve.
You can find out how to develop a growth mindset with our article, Dweck's Fixed and Growth Mindsets .
Note:
A learning opportunity is not the same as an excuse for careless behavior!
Rather, admitting to your mistakes and showing that you have learned from them can help others to understand that making mistakes is OK. That is, as long as you act intelligently, in good faith, and keep your risk-taking within agreed boundaries.
Model this approach to encourage your people to take responsible risks, and to be more creative.
3. Analyze Your Mistake
Next, you need to analyze your mistake honestly and objectively. Ask yourself the following questions:
·         What was I trying to do?
·         What went wrong?
·         When did it go wrong?
·         Why did it go wrong?
For complex or more critical issues, a more in-depth tool, such as Causal Factor Charting , may be more appropriate.
Conducting this "postmortem" should reveal what led to the mistake, and highlight what needs to change in order to avoid a repeat.

4. Put Lessons Learned Into Practice
The danger at this stage is that work pressures force you back to your routine tasks and habitual behaviors. The lessons that you identified in Step 3 could languish, unfulfilled, as mere good intentions. In other words, learning lessons is one thing, but putting them into practice is quite another!
Chances are, acting on what you've learned will require the discipline and motivation to change your habits , or to change the way that your team works. Doing so will help you to avoid self-sabotage  in the future, and will allow you to reap the rewards and benefits of implementing better work practices .
Here, you need to identify the skills, knowledge, resources, or tools that will keep you from repeating the error.
Do so with care, though, because "quick fixes" will likely lead to further mistakes. Any actions that you take to implement your learning need to be enduring, and something that you can commit to.
If your mistake was a minor or a personal one, personal goals  and action plans  will lay the groundwork for implementing the lessons you've learned. They can give you a timescale to work to, and a list of the tasks that you'll need to complete.
The specific tools that you use from there on will depend on the particular lessons that you need to put into practice.
For example, if you learned that a mistake occurred because of your forgetfulness, aides-mémoire  or greater attention to detail  could help. If you found that your organizational skills  were below par, digital planners and spreadsheets would be useful.
Or, if you discovered that an error occurred because of a cross-cultural misunderstanding, your communication skills  might need a polish.
If the mistake was more organizational than personal, you may need to implement your learning in a more far-reaching way. Writing clearer procedures , for example, could help to ensure that more gets done without mistakes.
Understanding Zenger and Folkman's 10 Fatal Leadership Flaws  could help to tackle errors from the top. In fact, not learning from mistakes is one of the 10 flaws, and providing clear and specific feedback  is one way to counter this flaw.
And, if you learned that your new product wasn't distinctive enough to be successful, you may need to revisit your whole strategy .

Tip 1:
Learning from mistakes, and putting that learning into practice, involves change. If that change will impact other people, the ADKAR Change Management Model  could help you to get them "on board" – and to keep them there.
Tip 2:
Don't be afraid to ask colleagues or your manager for help if you're unsure which tactic or tool will be the most effective in preventing further mistakes.
Involving other people is a great way to make them feel invested – and it can be particularly important when mistakes are made at a team or organizational level. So, foster an environment where people feel comfortable about expressing their ideas.
5: Review Your Progress
You may have to try out several ways to put your learning into practice before you find one that successfully prevents you from repeating past errors. The Plan-Do-Check-Act  cycle is a great tool for pinpointing the most effective solutions.
From there, monitor the efficacy of your chosen tactic by reviewing the number and nature of mistakes that do – or don't! – still get made. Asking someone to hold you accountable  can help you to stay committed to your new course of action.

Key Points
To err is human, and we don't have to punish ourselves for the mistakes that we make. They can be great opportunities to learn, and to develop on a personal, as well as an organizational, level. We just need to learn from them, and to put that learning into practice.
When you, or one of your team members, make a mistake:
·         Own up to it. Don't play the "blame game." This is detrimental in the long run, and you'll lose the potential for learning.
·         Reframe your mistake as an opportunity to learn and develop.
·         Review what went wrong, to understand and learn from your mistake.
·         Identify the skills, knowledge, resources, or tools that will keep you from repeating the error.
·         Review your progress.


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May 06, 2020

Startups often run into the same problem: where to find investors to raise capital. This especially is true for hardware startups that have a harder time getting investors interested in their products.
Some founders think that the only way to get investors on board is if an accelerator or an incubator successfully selected them. But I’m here to show you that you have options to find investors.
As someone being around startups and getting this question almost on a daily basis, I decided to enumerate in here the best places where you could get the opportunity to find your next investment for your business and jump to the next level of your startup.

10. OurCrowd

OurCrowd is an equity crowdfunding platform investing in global startups. They have a community of over 30,000 investors worldwide.
For startups, they share a 5-step process. Startups will be screened in step one before meeting with OurCrowd in step two.
Step three involves due diligence meetings with the investment teams. Afterward, your startup will be presented to the investment committee where they will make their final decision in step four.
Once accepted, your startup will move on to step five to the fundraising stage. At this stage, you will have access to investors and you will be able to participate in events.

09. FundersClub

FundersClub claims to give startups an unfair advantage by using innovative software and their powerful, global network of 22,000 members.
Startups get access to a founder community where they can communicate with other entrepreneurs and get help through online and in-person events.
You will also have access to mentorship through FundersClub’s own team members. These members have been through every step of the startup cycle from launch to exit.
FundersClub receives a percentage of the profits of the investment. They are only charged if there is a positive outcome for the campaign.
Eligibility requirements are not limiting, however, they only accept 2% of applicants into their platform. They are looking for startups with early-stage companies with seed or Series A round being preferred. They want to see if your startup has the potential for enormous growth.

08. SeedInvest

SeedInvest’s startup investment platform gives startups access to 250,000 investors. So far, they have helped raise over $100 million for 150+ startups.
Accepted startups receive $0 retainer from SeedInvest. They will pay all upfront costs which startups will pay with a $10,000 flat fee at closing. Startups are only charged with successful campaigns. SeedInvest will eat the upfront costs if campaigns are unsuccessful.
Other fees include placement fees and equity fees. Again, these are only charged for successful campaigns.
SeedInvest has a rigorous application process and only accept 1% of startups that apply. Startups need to meet the minimum requirements before moving forward. Startups need to have a minimum viable product (MVP), proof of concept and at least two full-time team members.
They also have a strong preference for technology and consumer-based businesses. So, if your hardware startup meets that criteria, SeedInvest is a great opportunity.

07. Equity Crowdfunding by Indiegogo

Built by the popular crowdfunding platform Indigogo, Equity Crowdfunding by Indiegogo is made to help startups raise funding for their businesses, not just individual products.
Startups get the option of raising capital through flexible or fixed funding goals. Flexible funding lets startups keep all money that was raised, and fixed funding requires the goal to be met before startups get the money.
You’ll also receive tools to help with marketing, promotion, fulfillment support and campaign management through different devices.
Equity Crowdfunding by Indiegogo charges a 5% platform fee when crowdfunding, and the platform is free for startups pre-launch.
Indiegogo offers additional services for entrepreneurs, so they can be your one-stop shop. Explore their directory for creative services, marketing services, prototyping, retail distribution, and website development.
Being built by a reputable company, this platform will pair great with your hardware startup.
UPDATE: This platform does not exist anymore since March 2019.

06. StartEngine

StartEngine is an equity crowdfunding platform ready to help startups raise capital.
With a creative team to help you design your campaign, you can attract investors from their community of 200,00 people. You’ll also have access to an account manager and a drag-n-drop feature to create the perfect campaign page.
Startups set their own terms with their investors who can invest easily through credit cards, ACH, bank wires and cryptocurrency.
For hardware startups to be accepted to StartEngine, startups need to be based in the US. StartEngine will also review startups based on revenue, team, customer engagement, previous funding, marketing budget, and market growth to see if your startup will have a fair chance in crowdfunding.
StartEngine is a good choice for startups looking to crowdfund their raises. There’s no listing fees and only a 6% charge from StartEngine after campaign success.

05. Wefunder

Wefunder is another crowdfunding option for raising funds. With a detailed stats page for proof, Wefunder has been in the game for a long time and know how to get results.
So far, they have helped hardware startups raise over $9million in total. You can raise between $20,000 to $50 million dollars with Wefunder.
Startups pay $0 upfront to start their campaign. Only startups with successful campaigns are charged by Wefunder. Their fee is 7.5% of the total fundraiser, and they’ll match the price if you can find a better deal anywhere else.
However, only a for-profit, US-based corporation or LLC is accepted.
With no startup fees, you have nothing to lose by trying Wefunder to raise your funds.

04. GlassDollar

GlassDollar focuses on matching your startup with investors. They have their investors fill out criteria and match startups to them that meet that criteria.
This makes sourcing and finding investors easy. You will only be matched with relevant investors and saving time and energy in the process.
You get to approve which investors you would like to give your pitch and then move on from there.
GlassDollar is free to use and there’s an easy assessment to see if your startup qualifies.
With this cool machine learning technology, finding investors have never been easier — or cooler.

03. Republic

Republic is another great platform to crowdfund your startup funding. The website is powered by AngelList, which is featured next, so it’s highly reputable.
Using Republic gives you access to the general public so you don’t have to rely on angel investors or venture capitalists. Anyone can invest in your startup for as little as $10USD. This makes it accessible to more people wanting to invest.
They will hook you up with great tools to create a branded campaign page that will accept all types of investments including ACH and wires.
There’s a baseline cost of $3,000 to raise money with Republic and then they will take a commission on successful campaigns.
Only US-based companies that are accepted are able to raise money on this platform.

02. AngelList

One of the most popular platforms out there is AngelList. AngelList offers startups opportunities to find seed fundings and angel investors.
It also has a job board for people looking to find a job in a startup environment. You can post job ads as well if you’re looking for new members.
AngelList lets you build your own network on the site, through email invite or by connecting your social media accounts, to increase your chances of getting funding. Or you can use its search tool to find investors that will be a good match for your startup.
It is free to make an account with AngelList, so you have nothing to lose by using this platform to search for investors.

01. Investor Hunt

Sitting at number one for the best online platform to find an investor for your startup in 2019, we have Investor Hunt.
Investor Hunt gives you access to over 40,000 angel investors and venture capitalists. You can choose between three different plans.
A basic plan, $69/month, that gives you unlimited searches, investor name data, social media links and past investment data per investor.
A pro plan, $149/month, that builds upon the basic plan with exporting options and direct email addresses. And a premium plan, $299/month, that also includes phone numbers and office addresses of investors.
Their database is filled with investors investing in digital products to physical products, so your hardware startup can find what it’s looking for.
Since it’s built by Product Hunt, you can guarantee you’ll get your money’s worth with Investor Hunt.

Bonus: Foundersuite

Founded by Nathan Beckord in 2016, Foundersuite has helped numerous startups raise over $2.2 billion in seed and VC. It gives the opportunity to get access to an impressive database of about 41,000 funds including VC, strategics, family offices, and more, but also more than 100,000 angel investors.
This platform offers affordable monthly subscriptions, in different plans, with a free one to at least check what the platform has to offer and how it works.
It also does have an interesting concept: an investor CRM, where you can check and follow up with the progress of your investment research, using a pipeline.
Definitely another platform to try out if you want to raise money efficiently, especially with this CRM pipeline that will definitely help you save time and focus on other matters as we all know how raising funds can be really time-consuming. There is a more thorough article on medium on Foundersuite.

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May 06, 2020

It may be difficult to imagine, but there is a country in the world smaller than New York City’s Central Park and one with a population smaller than a typical high-school class. Based on landmass, Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, measuring just 0.2 square miles, almost 120 times smaller than the island of Manhattan. Situated on the western bank of the Tiber River, Vatican City’s 2-mile border is landlocked by Italy. The official seat of the pope of the Catholic Church since 1377, Vatican City was not declared an independent state until the Lateran Treaty of 1929.


After years of power struggles between popes and the political leaders of Italy over who could claim supreme authority in the region, Benito Mussolini and Pope Pius XI agreed to the Lateran Pacts on February 11, 1929, which created the independent state of Vatican City for the Catholic Church in exchange for the pope’s recognition of the Kingdom of Italy. Today, nearly 75 percent of the Vatican’s citizens are members of the clergy.


In comparing countries by population, however, Vatican City loses out to the Pitcairn Islands for the title of smallest country. Compared to the 800-850 residents who live in Vatican City, the population of the Pitcairn Islands has fluctuated between 40 and 60 inhabitants over recent years. This British territory, located in the Pacific Ocean halfway between Peru and New Zealand, is composed of four islands, but Pitcairn is the only one that is inhabited. Pitcairn’s tiny population is also noteworthy due to its peoples’ heritage:

They are descended from Tahitians and the mutineers on the Bounty. Fletcher Christian and eight other mutineers fled to Tahiti after their revolt at sea, but when hostilities arose with their new neighbors and they began to fear arrest, they escaped to the deserted island of Pitcairn to hide from British authorities, bringing a handful of Tahitians with them. The British rediscovered the islands in 1791 during a search for the mutineers, and they were named a British colony in 1838. Though the population has swelled since then to a whopping 223 just before World War II, the current population stands at about 50.


Considering the 50 smallest countries by landmass are each less than one-quarter of the size of Rhode Island and the 50 smallest countries by population are each about one-sixth the size of Washington, D.C., it really is a small world after all.
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May 05, 2020


The history of caesarean section (C-section) dates back as far as Ancient Roman times. Pliny the Elder suggested that Julius Caesar was named after an ancestor who was born by C-section.
During this era, the C-section procedure was used to save a baby from the womb of a mother who had died while giving birth.
The mother of Julius Caesar himself, lived through childbirth, therefore eliminating the possibility that the ruler was himself born by C-section.
Ancient Jewish literature from Maimonides suggests that the surgical delivery of a baby was possible without killing the mother, but the surgery was rarely performed.
Survival rates would have been low after the procedure, due to the risk of bleeding and infection.
Historically, the surgery has always been performed to save the baby rather than the mother.
The first recorded case of a mother surviving the surgery was in the 1580s in Siegersausen, Switzerland where Jacob Nufer who was a pig gelder is said to have performed the operation on his wife when her labour was not progressing. The mother survived the operation and went on to have five more successful deliveries naturally.
The availability of cadavers during the seventeenth century and the development of anaesthesia in the nineteenth century both helped to enhance medical techniques, including the C-section procedure.
Queen Victoria used chloroform as an anesthetic during the birth of Prince Leopoldo in 1853 and this paved the way for its use in obstetrics and C-section.
Until the 1870s, the C-section technique remained relatively crude and the practice did not include surgical suture (stitches) to close the opened womb.
In 1876, Eduardo Porro, Professor of Obstetrics at Pavia advocated removal of the womb itself after C-section as a way of controlling bleeding. Following this, the first caesarean hysterectomy was performed in the United States by Richardson in 1881.
In 1882, however, German obstetricians, Adolf Kehrer and Max Sänger each developed methods for preventing uterine bleeding by using suture to close the wound.
Silver wire was developed by J. Marion Sims in the USA as a material that could be used for the suturing technique.
Sänger performed his surgeries using the classical vertical incision, while Kehrer advocated the low horizontal incision that is still being practised today.
Kehrer suggested that a low incision would aid recovery and reduce the risk of death and his incision method became popular in the early twentieth century.
With the advent of sterilization, hand washing and antibiotics, the surgical outcomes of C-section improved further still. For example, Joseph Lister introduced carbolic spray in 1867 for disinfecting the operative area.
In 1926, James Munro Kerr, Professor of Obstetrics at Glasgow re-introduced the transverse incision, which was preferred to the longitudinal incision and in the USA, the procedure was also popularized by Beck and DeLee in the 1920s.
Oxytocin, a natural hormone secreted after birth was synthesized in 1951 at Cornell.
The hormone was found to reduce bleeding after C-section and is still used routinely today.
Regional anesthesia including spinal and epidural anesthesia have also been developed and become popular methods of relieving pain and improving outcomes after C-section.


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