Category: Business Ideas

The field of Metallography which has been commercially popularized by companies like Akasel.com was born out of a need to understand how the microstructure of metallic alloys affect their macroscopic properties. Metallography is an important field of study because the knowledge of the principles learned from microstructural studies can be applied for the design, manufacture and development of different alloy materials. 

Metallography refers to the study of the microstructure of different metallic alloys. This scientific field deals with the chemical composition, atomic structure and spatial distribution of the microscopic constituents, inclusion, phases or grains of metallic alloy. The principles derived from the study of these microscopic components can then applied in characterizing these materials and in their application. 

Techniques used in metallography 

Different methods are used to study the microstructural feature of metallic alloys. However, the most commonly applied method of investigation is through the use of incident light microscopy typically in brightfield mode. However, other techniques like dark field and differential interference contrast (DIC) may also be used. Color etching is another method that has recently become popular for metallographic investigations. The most commonly used 

For these techniques, the basic procedure for metallographic examination is pretty much the same. It usually involves sample collection, specimen preparation and microscopic observation followed by digital imaging and documentation. The process of specimen preparation may include sectioning, cutting, planner grinding, polishing and etching the sample before observation can begin. Quantitative data from the examination is usually extracted through image analysis or stereological analysis. 

Why is metallography important 

Metallography is needed to understand many of the properties of metallic material. This is because most of the macroscopic properties of a material such as its tensile strength, thermal properties, electrical conductivity and other mechanical properties are dependent of the microstructure. Therefore, an understanding of these microscopic structures will play an important role in the manufacture of more reliable materials with desired physical features.

The advent of American Idol in 2002 brought us some things we hadn’t really seen before on T.V. There was Kelly Clarkson’s vocal range, not to mention Simon Cowell’s scowl. But perhaps more impactful was the show’s voting system, which allowed fans to select by phone or text the contestants they wanted to advance to the next round.

Idol helped introduce a new level of interactivity, community and urgency into a viewing experience that had traditionally been one-way and one-dimensional. Yet, other than competitive reality contests and a few related inroads since, the concept of interactive T.V. has remained on the sidelines. Sure, we may have a second-screen open these days — checking stats online, geeking out with fellow fans on Twitter or Zoom — but the viewing experience itself remains stubbornly one-directional and solitary.

But that may be about to change. Taking a cue from platforms as diverse as Fortnite, Twitch and Netflix, innovators are finally seeking out ways to make T.V. social, personalized and interactive — all on a single screen. It’s clearly a concept whose time has come … though whether legacy players, from content producers to distributors, will accelerate this shift or stand in the way remains to be seen.

The one screen that does it all

Importantly, when it comes to truly interactive viewing experiences — known in industry parlance as co-viewing — we’ve already got plenty of models. Twitch, the gaming platform where users watch and comment as gamers compete, offers a prime example. The platform builds strong, engaged communities who interact in real time, chiming in with a constantly unfolding stream of comments and emojis, all while their favorite stars play games live. And it all unfolds on a single, convenient screen, without a need for extra devices.

So how can we bring that kind of dynamic, co-viewing experience to TV? One emerging option: apps that overlay interactive functionality on top of existing programming. Take the example of GameOn Technologies, whose technology is now found in millions of set-top boxes in the US. Its platform allows viewers watching sports to play interactive games related to what’s happening on the screen — betting for points on who’s going to score the next goal or touchdown or competing in challenges against each other.

And that’s only the beginning of the co-viewing potential. As industry analysts John Kosner and J. Moses point out in the context of watching the NFL, “To start, imagine tonight’s CBS viewing experience with a “+” button where you could easily add friends and then “share your screen” for the synched game telecast plus access to merch, prop betting and fantasy and other streamers.” Initiatives to create this kind of experience are being explored by giants like Yahoo as well as startups like Teleparty and LiveLike.

The applications extend beyond sports. You could be watching Survivor or The Bachelor and bet on who’s going to be kicked off next with your friends. If you’re watching a scripted drama, you and fellow fans can chat about it all on the same screen.

The pay-off for the viewer is the kind of social engagement and active participation — in short, community — that formerly required a second screen. Over time, consumers can also benefit from personalized recommendations, just like Netflix, Crave or most any online experience, based on their viewing history.

There’s also a clear upside for brands who are able to tap into these communities. At a time when fewer people are willing to endure traditional commercials — Ipsos found that only 45 percent of ads on T.V. are currently watched — interactive viewing platforms offer an opportunity for more relevant and less invasive marketing tactics. Just as different people see different ads on the web, interactive T,V, ads can be customized based on past behaviors or microtargeted to specific communities.

Furthermore, traditional interruptive ads could be replaced by creative and integrated campaigns, deployed without pulling away from programming. Think about an interactive game sponsored by a beverage maker or a fast-food giveaway tied to the home team scoring a set number of points. Viewers could even use their remote to click and buy apparel, gadgets or housewares featured in popular shows, as they watch (not to mention “virtual goods,” like digital avatars or in-game currencies, that already constitute a $79 billion global market).

Crawling toward the future 

Clearly, the time has come for a more integrated personal viewing experience. But with isolated exceptions, it’s been a struggle to actually put it into practice.

This isn’t really a tech challenge. After all, most of the tools we need to make viewing a social experience — smart T.V.s and cable boxes, broadband connections and HD cameras, algorithms to serve personalized recommendations, cross-platform data collection — already exist. Rather, the challenge is an institutional and cultural one.

Ingrained habits we’ve spent decades forming and validating with T.V. as viewers will need to change. As Wired culture columnist Peter Rubin points out, “interactive T.V. starts at a disadvantage: It is arriving just as we’ve learned, in so many ways, not to interact at all.” We need to unlearn the notion of ourselves as “couch potatoes,” passively “vegging out” in front of the tube, and instead start to see T.V. and streaming as a true extension of our other interactive digital media.

Meanwhile, content distributors and content producers also need to embrace a mental shift, especially in an era of disengaged and declining TV viewership. (Some 8 million American households have “cut the cord” in the last two years, making for about 44 million households without pay TV service in total). Under the traditional broadcasting model, rightsholders and licensees lock up content, rather than opening it up for sharing and interacting. But this frustrates the development of dedicated communities, limits advertising options and short circuits new revenue streams.

In this respect, TikTok, Twitch and Instagram aren’t the competition as much as models to emulate. For producers and distributors, social TV promises new ways to engage and build audiences and new ways to monetize them.

The good news: Millennial and Gen Z expectations have already shifted. They’ve been brought up on technology adapting to their preferences, whether through playlists or recommended viewings, and on social and streaming platforms where community, interactivity and personalization is the default. It’s something the viewing public will increasingly come to expect, and TV — reluctantly or not — finally seems ready to evolve with them.

The Next Big Thing for TV: Co-Viewing [Entrepreneur]

Advancing technology has taken all the industries by storm to bring digital transformation, and the BFSI sector is no exception! In fact, technological advancements are more useful in the fintech industry to ensure the security and accuracy of online transactions. It is fair to mention that the profitability and lucrativeness of the business model in the fintech sector depend solely on the security aspect.

If you own a fintech startup or want to venture into the digital solutions for the fintech sector, here we give the top five digital banking ideas.

P2P payment solutions

These days, P2P payment app development gains ground in the fintech sector. Peer-to-Peer payment solutions go beyond average banking apps. Venmo, SnapCash, and PayPal are some of the big names in the peer-to-peer mobile apps. It is easy to get a higher ranking on the Google Play and Apple App Store with a seamlessly-performing and feature-rich P2P payment apps.

These apps facilitate users to transact online without logging into the bank accounts. The apps have linked all the accounts and users can readily use their money to pay bills and help friends.

Stock market advisor apps

Millennials love to invest and trade in the stock market. However, they have no idea of finance management and investments. The stock market advisor app can help them get insights into stock markets and assist them to park their money into various investment options.

These days, many blogs and content are available online that guide us about the stock market and various stocks. However, such huge stuff is sufficient to confuse a newbie or a beginner who wants to decide a particular stock for a medium to long-term investment. There, the stock market advisor app can suggest some of the best investment options and guide users to make a portfolio. The advanced version of the app can have features like a financial planner, Demat account linking, and online trading.

Banking app

People have accounts in multiple banks. How about having a single app that includes all these accounts? A banking app acts like an online substitute for all bank accounts. It enables users to get rid of downloading all the apps of related banks to make online transactions. Users can also eliminate the complexities result because of multiple accounts through this app. A single banking app can direct users to multiple bank accounts and users can easily track and transact from all their accounts anytime.

Money manager app

Irrespective of time and region, people want to manage their expenses wisely but most of them fail simply because they have no control over where the money is going. Talking about Millennials, they do not know how to save money. Irresponsible and random spending leads to bankruptcy like situation. There, the fintech company or startup can help people by releasing the finance management or money manager app. This digital solution can help people especially Millennials.

The financial management app can help people manage their expenses through innovative features like monthly budget, calculation of the bills, splitting expenses, and comparison of expenses between two to three months. Additional useful features can be expense classification into various categories. Moven is a highly useful money management app that facilitates the users to keep track of their finances and cut down on unproductive expenses. The fintech startup can also incorporate a feature like ‘debt track’ to attract more users.

Mobile loan app

Thanks to advancing technology and increasing digitization, many online businesses and startups have paved a way for success. But then, the fund is necessary to expanding any business. However, typical banks take a long time to grant loans and make funds available to the business. Also, it is possible that the business person’s application gets rejected because of some silly reasons. It can ruin the dreams of entrepreneurs to expand their business. Here, the mobile app for loans comes into the picture. It not only provides loans instantly but also enables entrepreneurs to track the status of their application.

Mobile loan app solutions are designed to leverage the advantage of AI and Machine Learning. These apps can fetch and analyze the credit history of the applicant in a short time. In a way, the eligibility of the applicant is determined almost instantly and the applicant can get the loan accordingly. The machine learning enables the system to analyze the data and create customized loan options for the users. These apps save a lot of time and effort of entrepreneurs and ensure business growth. What’s more, the mobile-based loan apps can act as a useful source of working capital or operational expenses for a short to medium term. It fulfills the need for urgent funding to keep the processes running smoothly.

Concluding lines

A mobile app development company that offers blockchain and AI app development services can help you come up with innovative digital banking solutions. It is better to consult a reputed app development company to know more about digital banking ideas or implement them to make a user-friendly digital payment app solution. All you need to remember that security and convenience should be the top priority while developing a digital banking app for the fintech company.

Top 5 digital banking ideas from today’s most innovative fintech companies [Born2Invest]

There are loads of people out there who have a brilliant idea for starting their own business. You may even be one of them. Yet a significantly lower number of people actually go on to start their own business.

So what’s keeping you from going from column A to column B? Execution — especially when just starting out. In the beginning it’s the hardest to cultivate a new hobby that could turn into something more. You can set yourself up for success though, if you know how.

1. Outsource.

So often people ask me “how do you do it all?” The truth is, I don’t.

I still have to maintain most things by myself, but I automate almost everything else.

For example, I use Co-Schedule to manage all my social media, which takes a lot of the weight off my shoulders. Of course outsourcing often costs money but when you work out the cost vs. time saved you might find you’d be paying yourself less than minimum wage to do a task. If you’re feeling bogged down it’s OK to look for help.

2. Lump tasks together.

When you’re first starting out, figuring out how to balance work and home life with your new hobby can be tricky. It might be tempting to try and multitask (e.g. writing emails while you pack the dishwasher.) However, I find multitasking tends to waste more time than it saves. Instead, lump tasks together  — both business and everyday duties.

For instance, a quick way to save a huge chunk of time is to cook one big meal and spread it out throughout the week. Heating up some lasagna is even quicker than ordering take out.

You can also take advantage of your commute to read up on your field or listen to relevant podcasts while you walk the dog. Not every task has to be done sitting at a desk.

3. Use the ‘Pomodoro’ technique.

When you’re working on your own projects, many people fall into the trap of pushing themselves too hard — forcing themselves to work unreasonable hours with no breaks. However, just because you are working hard, doesn’t mean you are working smart.

The idea behind the Pomodoro technique is that it’s important to give yourself breaks. Our mind can’t focus for very long without them. The Pomodoro app gives you 25 minutes to work on a certain task, and then you can take a short break (5 minutes) or a long break (15 minutes.) This keeps you on task, but allows you to refresh your mind so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

4. Make appointments.

Set aside some time each day to work at your side gig. Treat this time like a doctor’s appointment; you just can’t cancel it.  When you’re working try to make the most of your time. Rather than just reading through emails, think: Could the time be better spent elsewhere? Even if you had all the time in the world, how you prioritize makes all the difference. I like to use the time management tool Asana to keep track of all of the tasks I need to be doing when it comes to my side gig.  This is separate from where I keep my personal and work to-dos.

5. Join a mastermind group.

Every month I meet with three other women who are also running their own business. We meet to share our goals, discuss our progress and offer encouragement. Being accountable to someone else can give you that extra push you need to keep going. It’s difficult to get motivated when the only person who knows if you didn’t do something is you. Plus a little encouragement goes a long way.

5 Ways to Make Time for Your Side Hustle [Entrepreneur]