Technology
New strategic collaboration announced to develop the fastest laser machine worldwide for fast production of bioinspired surfaces for consumer market

The European research project “LAMPAS” is working on the world record of fabrication throughput for the production of functionalized surfaces in the domestic appliance market by combining the outstanding characteristics of three laser technologies, being High-Average-Power Ultrafast Lasers, Direct Laser Interference Patterning and Polygon Scanner processing.
Technology developments related to high-power ultra-short pulsed lasers, advanced scanning techniques for new beam delivery concepts, together with interference patterning optics and real-time monitoring system have led to the collaboration of two technology giants to create a new system able to bring the functionalization of surfaces to the mass-manufacturing level. This collaboration is taken place in the framework of the European flagship project LAMpAS (research volume 5.1 Mio. €), launched at the first of 2019, with the goal to develop a new laser machine able to produce large-area and cost-effective micro- and nanostructures on various surfaces.
“The results envisioned in LAMpAS will make possible the production of a new generation of electrical appliance as well as food packaging systems, by adding new functionalities to the surfaces of daily used devices. We are very pleased to bring together the main industrial players for developing this new laser based system, for large-volume production. We are sure that the results will be groundbreaking for various industries”, announced coordinator Prof. Andrés Lasagni and could hardly hide his confidence about the success. He is fully aware of the forward-looking characteristics of the project.
Antibacterial and self-cleaning properties, friction reduction, optical security functions and/or decorative effects on all kind of surfaces, the inspiration of such micro/nano surface structures is nature, as in the case of the lotus effect or butterfly wings. In this sense, technologies for modifying surfaces instead of composites or for coating surfaces can offer new industrial opportunities (e.g. long-term stable surfaces and more environmentally friendly processes).
The international research team includes scientists and engineers from TU Dresden, Bosch, Trumpf, Bosch-Siemens-Hausgeräte (BSH), Next Scan Technology, Near Infrared Technologies (NIT), Lasea und European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC).
Further information and current developments can be found on the homepage of the research association: www.lampas.net.
Opinion
These are tech companies Americans want to work at most

Google is where Americans want to work the most in tech, receiving more than 487,000 searches a month Apple and Tesla take second and third, respectively
New research reveals that Google is the tech company Americans most want to work at.
The new study from document management company SmallPDF analyzed monthly searches for openings at the biggest tech companies in the US to see which brand was getting the most interest in job opportunities.
It found that Google comes out on top for searches, with ‘Google jobs’ receiving more than 339,000 searches a month on average in the US and the term ‘Google careers’ receiving more than 148,000 searches a month, adding up to a whopping total of 487,000 searches. This is more than 200,000 searches a month higher than second place.
Apple comes in second place on the list, thanks to 180,000 searches every month for ‘Apple jobs’ and 99,000 searches a month on average for ‘Apple careers’, adding up to 279,000 searches a month.
Coming in third place is a multinational automotive company, Tesla, with an average of 185,000 monthly searches for opportunities at the company. This is split down into 109,000 searches monthly for ‘Tesla jobs’ and 76,000 searches monthly for ‘Tesla careers.’
Facebook takes fourth place in the list, with 94,000 searches for ‘Facebook jobs’ and 49,000 searches a month for ‘Facebook careers’, which adds up to a total of 143,000 searches a month on average for Facebook work opportunities.
Rounding out the top five is Microsoft, which receives more than 141,000 searches a month for openings at the company. ‘Microsoft jobs’ receives 66,000 searches a month, and ‘Microsoft careers’ receives 75,000 searches a month on average.
|
Company |
“Jobs” searches |
“Careers” searches |
Total |
1 |
|
339,000 |
148,000 |
487,000 |
2 |
Apple |
180,000 |
99,000 |
279,000 |
3 |
Tesla |
109,000 |
76,000 |
185,000 |
4 |
|
94,000 |
49,000 |
143,000 |
5 |
Microsoft |
66,000 |
75,000 |
141,000 |
6 |
Salesforce |
52,000 |
41,000 |
93,000 |
7 |
Verizon |
45,000 |
41,000 |
86,000 |
8 |
Spectrum |
43,000 |
38,000 |
81,000 |
9 |
Netflix |
45,000 |
34,000 |
79,000 |
10 |
AT&T |
37,000 |
31,000 |
68,000 |
Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson from SmallPDF said: “While some of the US’s most well-known tech companies do indeed make their way into the top ten, many do not, indicating that the job searches for many people are varied and job seekers in the tech field are keeping their options open. The companies at the top of the list benefit from the prestige that their brand holds, which helps them attract the best talent, which helps them continue to lead the industry.”
The study was conducted by SmallPDF, which offers easy PDF conversion tools, allowing you to be more productive and work smarter with documents.
Source: smallpdf.com
Career & Workplace
California’s Inland Empire added 6,990 tech jobs between 2016 to 2021; Growth Rate of 39%—Highest Rate Among U.S. Markets

Greater Los Angeles/Orange County Ranked #12 in CBRE’s Annual ‘Scoring Tech Talent’ Report; Region Added More Than 7,000 Tech Workers in 2021, the Third-Largest Gain Among U.S. Markets, and Produced the Second-Highest Number of Tech Degree Graduates
The Greater Los Angeles/Orange County region ranks No. 12 overall in CBRE’s 2022 Scoring Tech Talent report as North American tech-talent employment bounced back from the pandemic to post job gains across most top markets in 2021, though the industry’s resilience will be tested again amid economic turmoil in 2022, according to a new report from CBRE.
California’s Inland Empire is also included in the report among small tech talent markets of less than 50,000 workers. The Inland Empire added 6,990 tech jobs between 2016 to 2021, a growth rate of 39 percent, which was the highest rate among U.S. markets. The Inland Empire also benefits from being the fifth-most-concentrated market for Gen Z, with those aged 20 to 24 years old representing 7.2 percent of the overall population.
The U.S. added a net 136,000 tech talent jobs last year across established hubs such as the San Francisco Bay Area, New York and Seattle as well as smaller markets like Nashville, Cleveland and California’s Inland Empire. Both tech job growth and tech office leasing proved resilient by rebounding in 2021 from slowdowns in 2020.
Los Angeles/Orange County stood out in the report for its tech talent gains during the pandemic, adding more than 7,000 tech workers in 2021 alone. The region also excelled in its tech degree completions, producing the second-highest number of tech graduates in 2020 (14,504), behind only the New York metro.
“The large number of tech degree graduates plays a significant role in the expansion we are seeing in the tech industry throughout southern California. The desirable weather and lifestyle in Los Angeles provides an added attraction for tech talent to remain here and for tech employers to locate where that talent wants to be based. This is fueling expansion by both traditional tech and tech directly linked to the media, entertainment and gaming sectors,” said Michelle Esquivel-Hall, executive vice president with CBRE’s Tech & Media Practice in Los Angeles.
CBRE’s report, now in its 10th year, ranks the top 50 North American markets by analyzing 13 measures of their ability to attract and develop tech talent, including tech graduation rates, tech-job concentration, tech labor pool size, and labor and real estate costs.
CBRE also ranks the Next 25 emerging tech markets on a narrower set of criteria. Tech talent is defined as 20 key tech professions — such as software engineers and systems and data managers – across all industries.
Greater Los Angeles/Orange County stood out in the report in several other key areas:
- Greater Los Angeles/Orange County’s tech talent workforce grew by 10 percent from 2016 to 2021, reaching 235,800 workers. This makes it the fifth-largest tech talent workforce in North America.
- The region produced nearly 45,000 more tech degrees than tech jobs between 2016 and 2021, meaning more tech talent is available for companies looking to hire in the region.
- It is the 10th-most-concentrated market for both millennials and Gen Z with the age cohorts representing 22.6 percent and 6.8 percent of the overall population, respectively. For this analysis, CBRE defines millennials as 25 to 39 years old and working age Gen Z as 20 to 24 years old.
Technology
Charter Communications Launches Spectrum Internet 100

Spectrum Internet 100 Free to Eligible Affordable Connectivity Program Households; Service Includes 100 Mbps Download Speeds, Modem and In-Home WiFi
Charter Communications, Inc. today announced it is now offering Spectrum Internet 100 across virtually all of its entire 41-state service area. The new high-speed, low-cost broadband service provides 100 Mbps download speeds for just $29.99 per month, and includes a modem, in-home WiFi and self-installation at no additional charge. Spectrum Internet 100 is available exclusively to households eligible for the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and all Spectrum Internet and legacy plans — including Spectrum Internet Gig — are eligible for ACP credits.
The ACP provides qualifying households up to a $30 monthly credit ($75 on qualifying Tribal lands) toward broadband service — which allows eligible customers to receive Spectrum Internet 100 at no monthly cost. Like all Spectrum Internet plans, Spectrum Internet 100 also has no modem fees, data caps or contracts, and customers can cancel anytime without penalty.
“The Affordable Connectivity Program is an important step in driving broadband adoption in America,” said Catherine Bohigian, Charter Executive Vice President, Government Affairs. “With Spectrum Internet 100, Charter is delivering a high-speed, high-quality broadband option — available at no cost to ACP-qualified households— throughout our 41-state service area.”
For more information on the ACP and to apply online, consumers should visit fcc.gov/acp. Interested consumers should first confirm their eligibility through the National Verifier, then contact Spectrum at 1-877-959-1748 to apply for the credit.
A household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household participates in or is eligible for a variety of assistance programs, including:
- SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC or Lifeline.
- Tribal specific programs, such as Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.
- The National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision.
- Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the Best Internet Service Provider for Rural Areas in its 2021-22 ratings, Spectrum Internet also exceeded advertised download and upload speeds for all tiers measured — even during peak weeknight usage between 7 and 11 p.m. — according to the FCC’s most recent “Measuring Broadband America Fixed Broadband Report” issued in December 2021.
Charter is Advancing Access to High-Speed Internet
High-speed internet access is more important than ever, yet tens of millions of households and businesses — especially among vulnerable communities and in rural areas — still lack access, worry about costs, or have not adopted service. Charter has taken a comprehensive approach to solving this problem:
- Improve Affordability: The FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program makes internet service available at effectively no cost to families in financial need, and Spectrum Internet 100 includes a modem, router and in-home WiFi at no additional charge. And all Spectrum Internet plans have no data caps, modem fees or contracts.
- Advance Access: Charter is investing over $5 billion to bring reliable, high-speed internet access to approximately 1 million currently unserved families and small businesses through the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF).
- Increase Adoption: To increase adoption and access to technology, Charter offers philanthropic support to community organizations through Spectrum Digital Education grants, which provide computers, digital education classes and technology labs for thousands across the country.
- Protect Americans’ Privacy and Security Online: Charter has been a longtime advocate for Congress to come together in a bipartisan, consensus way to take action on a comprehensive, uniform, national framework to protect consumers’ privacy online and offers certainty now and for years to come.
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