#textile physical lab testing

[testing-services]

Exploring International Standards for Textile Physical Lab Testing

In the global textile industry, ensuring product quality, safety, and compliance with international regulations is crucial for manufacturers and consumers alike. Textile Physical Lab Testing plays a significant role in this process, as it evaluates the physical properties of textiles to ensure they meet various international standards. In this blog, we will explore the key international standards governing textile physical lab testing, their significance, and how they impact manufacturers and consumers.

Understanding Textile Physical Lab Testing

Textile physical lab testing involves a series of procedures designed to assess the physical characteristics of textile products. These tests evaluate critical properties such as tensile strength, tear strength, abrasion resistance, dimensional stability, and colorfastness. By adhering to international standards, testing labs ensure that their methods are reliable, consistent, and accepted across different markets.

Importance of International Standards

1. Ensuring Product Quality

International standards for textile testing are established to ensure that products meet specific quality benchmarks. These standards help manufacturers identify potential weaknesses in their textiles, such as low strength or poor resistance to wear. By complying with these standards, manufacturers can produce higher-quality textiles that meet consumer expectations.

2. Protecting Consumer Safety

Consumer safety is paramount in the textile industry. International standards help identify harmful substances and materials in textiles that could pose health risks. For example, textiles that come into direct contact with skin must be free from allergens and toxic chemicals. Testing laboratories play a vital role in verifying that products comply with these safety standards.

3. Facilitating Global Trade

As the textile industry becomes increasingly globalized, compliance with international standards is essential for manufacturers looking to export their products. Many countries have specific regulations governing textile imports, and adherence to international testing standards can help ensure seamless access to these markets. Non-compliance can lead to product recalls, financial losses, and damage to brand reputation.

4. Enhancing Brand Reputation

Brands that prioritize compliance with international testing standards demonstrate a commitment to quality and safety. This commitment enhances their reputation and builds consumer trust. In an era where consumers are more informed and concerned about product safety, adhering to these standards can significantly impact purchasing decisions.

Key International Standards for Textile Physical Lab Testing

Several key organizations develop and maintain international standards for textile testing. Below are some of the most recognized standards in the industry:

1. ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

The ISO develops and publishes a wide range of international standards for textiles. Key ISO standards relevant to textile physical testing include:

ISO 13934-1: This standard outlines the procedure for determining the tensile strength of fabrics. It provides guidelines for test conditions, equipment, and reporting results.

ISO 13937-1: This standard specifies the method for determining the tear strength of fabrics using the trouser method. It is crucial for evaluating how well textiles can withstand tearing forces.

ISO 12945-1: This standard details the method for assessing the abrasion resistance of textile fabrics, helping manufacturers understand how well their products will perform in real-world conditions.

ISO 105-C06: This standard focuses on determining the colorfastness of textiles to washing, ensuring that colors remain vibrant and do not bleed during cleaning.

2. AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists)

The AATCC develops test methods and standards specifically for the textile industry. Some important AATCC standards include:

AATCC 16: This test evaluates the colorfastness of textiles to light, which is essential for determining how fabrics will perform when exposed to sunlight over time.

AATCC 61: This standard assesses the colorfastness of textiles to laundering, helping manufacturers ensure their products maintain color integrity during washing.

AATCC 8: This standard evaluates the colorfastness of textiles to rubbing, an important consideration for items like upholstery and garments that experience friction.

3. ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)

ASTM is another key organization that establishes standards for textiles. Some relevant ASTM standards include:

ASTM D5034: This standard outlines the method for determining the breaking strength and elongation of textile fabrics, which is critical for evaluating the durability of textiles.

ASTM D4970: This standard specifies the procedure for testing the resistance of textiles to water, ensuring that fabrics meet required performance criteria for outdoor applications.

Implementing International Standards in Textile Testing Labs

For textile physical testing labs, implementing international standards involves several key steps:

1. Accreditation

Testing laboratories should seek accreditation from recognized bodies, such as the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) or the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). Accreditation ensures that the lab meets international quality standards and follows established testing protocols.

2. Training and Expertise

Personnel in textile testing labs must be well-trained and knowledgeable about the specific international standards relevant to their testing procedures. Continuous training and professional development are essential to ensure that staff stay up-to-date with changes in standards and best practices.

3. Quality Control and Calibration

Testing labs must maintain rigorous quality control measures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their testing results. This includes regular calibration of testing equipment, routine maintenance, and participation in proficiency testing programs to verify their performance against established benchmarks.

4. Documentation and Reporting

Accurate documentation and reporting of test results are critical for compliance with international standards. Testing labs should have robust systems in place to ensure that all testing procedures, results, and analyses are thoroughly documented and easily accessible for clients and regulatory bodies.

Conclusion

In an increasingly globalized textile market, compliance with international standards for Textile Physical Lab Testing is essential for manufacturers, consumers, and testing laboratories alike. By adhering to these standards, manufacturers can ensure product quality, protect consumer safety, and facilitate global trade.

As the industry continues to evolve, the importance of international standards will only grow, making it imperative for textile testing labs to stay informed and proactive in their compliance efforts. Investing in rigorous testing processes not only enhances product safety and quality but also builds consumer trust and strengthens brand reputation, ultimately leading to long-term success in the textile industry.

[denimbex1986]

'The hype is building for Christopher Nolan’s "Oppenheimer," which premieres on July 21st. The film boasts an A-list cast and comes from the director responsible for "The Dark Knight," "Inception" and "Memento."

Based on the novel, "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer," the film follows the story of Julius Robert Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy) a theoretical physicist and director of the laboratory responsible for the development of the atomic bomb.

But for those unfamiliar with atomic history (or maybe those more familiar with the characters in the upcoming "Barbie" movie, instead), here’s what to know about the man on which the film is based, J. Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb.”

Where was Oppenheimer born?

Oppenheimer was born in New York, in 1904 to German immigrant and wealthy textile importer, Julius Oppenheimer and painter Ella Friedman Oppenheimer, according to the National Parks Service, which described him as a quiet child, studying mineralogy and writing poetry.

Where did Oppenheimer go to college?

Oppenheimer was admitted to Harvard University but postponed his enrollment due to illness, according to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

After enrolling in 1922, he studied physics, chemistry, Latin, Greek and eastern philosophy at Harvard before traveling to the University of Cambridge where he studied two terms, per the school. He then transferred to the University of Göttingen where he earned a doctorate in physics, according to the nuclear museum.

He then returned to the United States to teach physics at the University of California at Berkeley and the California Institute of Technology. There he conducted research on black holes and neutron stars. He worked alongside experimental physicist and Noble Prize winner Ernest Lawrence, played by Josh Hartnett in the film.

Oppenheimer's wife, children

He married Katherine “Kitty” Puening (played by Emily Blunt in the upcoming movie) in 1940 and had two children, Peter and Toni, according to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

What role did Oppenheimer serve in the Manhattan Project? What was Los Alamos?

Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory in New Mexico, a key location in the "Oppenheimer" movie, was a lab responsible for the top-secret design and production of atomic bombs. Part of the Manhattan Project, Los Alamos (or Project Y as it was known at the time) was greenlit in 1942, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. It was then that General Leslie Groves, director of the Manhattan Project (played by Matt Damon), selected Oppenheimer to lead the project, and the pair began planning.

They selected a remote location surrounded by mountains to build a secret town where scientists and their families could live, according to the National Parks Service. There, hundreds of scientists and engineers developed the Gadget (the world’s first nuclear test device), Little Boy (the uranium-fueled atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan), and Fat Man (the plutonium-fueled atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan).

The Oppenheimer hearing

In 1954, during the era of McCarthyism, the Atomic Energy Commission called Oppenheimer to testify on his past involvement with communist organizations, due to fears that he was a Soviet spy.

It is unclear if Oppenheimer was ever a part of the Communist Party, but he was sympathetic to communist goals, according to the Atomic Heritage Foundation's nuclear museum. He became acquainted with leftist politics through his turbulent love affair with communist and medical student Jean Tatlock (played by Florence Pugh in the film) and was fueled by anger toward the oppression his Jewish relatives were suffering in Nazi Germany. Oppenheimer’s brother, Frank Oppenheimer, joined the Communist Party in 1937.

Oppenheimer’s communist ties were scrutinized when he was selected to partake in the Manhattan Project, but he was approved with the support of General Groves, the museum notes.

Oppenheimer testified for 27 hours in 1954 to the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) according to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. In the end, his security clearance was revoked.

Sixty years after his hearing, the U.S. Department of Energy released the full, declassified transcript of the hearing.

Oppenheimer: Hydrogen bombs vs. atomic bombs

After the Soviet Union successfully tested nuclear weaponry in 1949 and U.S. turned attention to advancing its nuclear arms, Oppenheimer resisted the development of fusion weapons (like the hydrogen bomb) instead of fission weapons (like the atomic bomb) for concerns that the weapons would only be used on human populations, according to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

J. Robert Oppenheimer death

In 1967, Oppenheimer died in Princeton, New Jersey, of throat cancer, according to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

What to know about other 'Oppenheimer' characters in real life

Leslie Groves Jr.: Played by Matt Damon in the film, Groves was appointed to head the Manhattan Project in 1942 and worked alongside Oppenheimer. He was reportedly known for his stubbornness, egotism, intelligence, and abrasive nature, according to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. He fiercely defended Oppenheimer during the AEC hearing.

Jean Tatlock: Played by Florence Pugh in the film, Jean Tatlock (1914-1944) was an American psychologist and Communist Party member. For several years, she maintained a relationship with Oppenheimer, who she met while studying at the Stanford University Medical School. Oppenheimer proposed to Tatlock twice, although she declined both times, according to the nuclear museum.

Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer: Played by Emily Blunt, “Kitty” Oppenheimer married J. Robert Oppenheimer in 1939. She was a trained botanist forced to put her career on hold when moving to Los Alamos with her husband. She served as an important confidant for Oppenheimer, per the museum.

Lewis Strauss: Played by Robert Downey Jr in the film, Lewis Strauss was appointed chairman of the AEC by President Truman. He led the push for the development of thermonuclear weapons after the Soviets tested their first atomic bomb. He was a vocal opponent of Oppenheimer, as the two disagreed starkly on nuclear weapons and Strauss viewed Oppenheimer as a threat to American security, the museum notes.'

[best-testing-lab-saudi]

What to Expect from SASO Labs in Ajman: A Complete Guide for UAE Exporters | +971 554747210

As an exporter in the UAE, especially if you're targeting the Saudi Arabian market, ensuring that your products comply with the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) regulations is paramount. SASO certification guarantees that your products meet the safety, quality, and environmental standards set by Saudi Arabia, facilitating smooth trade and market access.

For businesses in Ajman, one of the UAE's key industrial hubs, partnering with SASO labs plays a crucial role in ensuring compliance with Saudi regulations. SASO lab in Ajman are equipped to handle a variety of tests and certifications, helping exporters navigate the complex certification process with ease. But what exactly can exporters expect from SASO labs in Ajman?

In this complete guide, we will explore what SASO labs offer, the types of tests and services they provide, and how these labs help businesses achieve compliance for successful exports to Saudi Arabia.

1. Understanding SASO Certification and its Importance

Before diving into the services offered by SASO labs, it’s important to understand why SASO certification matters. The Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) is responsible for setting and enforcing product standards across a wide range of industries, including electronics, machinery, food, textiles, and construction materials.

SASO certification ensures that products entering Saudi Arabia comply with safety, quality, and environmental regulations. This certification is not only essential for meeting legal requirements but also enhances consumer trust, ensuring that your products are safe, high-quality, and suitable for the Saudi market.

For UAE exporters, obtaining SASO certification is a must before products can be exported to Saudi Arabia. Without it, products may be delayed at customs, rejected, or even fined, which can result in significant losses.

2. Services Provided by SASO Labs in Ajman

SASO labs in Ajman offer a wide range of services aimed at ensuring that products meet Saudi Arabian standards. These labs provide testing, certification, and advisory services that support businesses in navigating the regulatory landscape for exports to Saudi Arabia.

Product Testing and Analysis

One of the core services provided by SASO labs is product testing. Depending on the nature of the product being exported, SASO labs conduct various tests to ensure compliance with Saudi standards. The most common types of product testing include:

Electrical Safety Tests: For electronics and electrical appliances, SASO labs test for compliance with electrical safety standards. This includes ensuring that products do not present electrical hazards such as short circuits or electrical overloads.

Mechanical and Durability Tests: Machinery, tools, and construction materials undergo mechanical testing to ensure they can withstand physical stress and perform reliably under normal use. For example, construction materials are tested for strength, fire resistance, and stability.

Chemical and Toxicity Tests: Many consumer products, such as textiles, paints, and toys, are tested for harmful chemicals like lead, phthalates, or formaldehyde to ensure they are safe for use. SASO labs in Ajman conduct thorough chemical testing to meet Saudi regulations for product safety.

Food Safety and Quality Tests: For food products, SASO labs conduct microbiological testing, pesticide residue analysis, and chemical composition assessments to ensure the food meets health standards.

Certification Services

Once products pass the necessary tests, SASO labs in Ajman issue SASO certificates that confirm compliance with Saudi standards. This certification is essential for customs clearance and ensures that your product is legally eligible for export to Saudi Arabia.

The certification process can vary depending on the product type. For instance, some products may require a SASO Certificate of Conformity (CoC), which confirms that the product adheres to the applicable Saudi regulations. The certificate provides a detailed report of the product’s compliance, including the results of testing and analysis.

Pre-Export Inspections

In addition to testing and certification, SASO labs in Ajman often perform pre-export inspections to verify that products meet all required standards before they are shipped. These inspections can include verifying product packaging, labeling, and documentation to ensure they comply with Saudi regulations.

Pre-export inspections also help verify that the quantity and quality of products meet the specifications outlined in the export contract. For instance, SASO labs check that the packaging is robust enough for international transportation and that the product labeling is clear and complies with language and safety standards (including Arabic and English).

Guidance and Support for Exporters

Navigating the complexities of international trade and regulatory compliance can be daunting for exporters. SASO labs in Ajman offer consultancy and advisory services to help businesses understand the requirements of SASO certification and guide them through the testing and certification process.

For example, if you’re a business new to the Saudi market, SASO labs can provide insights into the necessary product standards, help identify potential compliance gaps, and recommend ways to adjust your product to meet Saudi regulations. By leveraging their expertise, exporters can avoid costly mistakes and delays in the export process.

3. How SASO Labs in Ajman Help Ensure Compliance

SASO labs play a pivotal role in ensuring that your products meet the regulatory requirements set by Saudi Arabia. Here’s how SASO labs help businesses in Ajman achieve compliance:

Accurate and Reliable Testing

SASO labs in Ajman are accredited by the relevant authorities, ensuring that they meet the highest international standards for testing and analysis. This means that the results they provide are accurate, reliable, and recognized by Saudi authorities. By using these labs, businesses can be confident that their products will pass Saudi customs inspections without issues.

Efficient Turnaround Time

For exporters, time is often of the essence. SASO labs in Ajman understand the urgency of export processes and offer efficient testing and certification services to ensure that your products are certified in a timely manner. This allows businesses to avoid unnecessary delays and ensure that their goods reach the Saudi market promptly.

Minimizing Risks and Costs

By using SASO labs in Ajman, businesses can minimize the risk of non-compliance, which could lead to fines, product recalls, or rejection at Saudi customs. These labs help ensure that products are fully compliant with Saudi standards before export, which reduces the chances of costly delays or issues down the line.

4. How to Choose the Right SASO Lab in Ajman

Selecting the right SASO lab in Ajman is crucial to ensuring smooth and successful exports to Saudi Arabia. When choosing a lab, consider the following factors:

Accreditation: Ensure that the lab is accredited by SASO and other relevant international organizations.

Experience: Look for a lab with experience in your product category to ensure they have the necessary expertise.

Turnaround Time: Choose a lab that offers quick testing and certification to meet your export deadlines.

Reputation: Research the lab’s reputation in the industry and consider feedback from other exporters.

Conclusion

SASO labs in Ajman play a critical role in ensuring that UAE exporters comply with the regulatory standards set by Saudi Arabia. These labs offer a wide range of services, including testing, certification, pre-export inspections, and expert consultancy, all designed to help businesses meet the requirements for successful exports to Saudi Arabia.

For UAE exporters, partnering with SASO labs in Ajman is essential for ensuring that products meet the highest safety, quality, and environmental standards, enabling smooth and efficient trade with Saudi Arabia. By leveraging the expertise and services of these labs, businesses can gain a competitive edge in the Saudi market, enhance consumer trust, and minimize the risk of non-compliance.

[best-testing-lab-uae]

How KEBS Approved Labs Enhance Quality Assurance in the UAE’s Manufacturing Sector | +971 554747210

In the ever-evolving landscape of manufacturing in the UAE, maintaining high-quality standards is not just a regulatory requirement but a critical component of business success. As manufacturers strive to meet both local and international quality standards, KEBS (Kenya Bureau of Standards) approved labs play a pivotal role in enhancing quality assurance across various industries. This blog delves into how KEBS approved lab contribute to quality assurance in the UAE's manufacturing sector, ensuring products meet safety and quality benchmarks.

Understanding KEBS Approved Labs

KEBS approved labs are accredited facilities recognized for their competence in testing, inspection, and certification services. They adhere to strict quality management systems and regulatory standards established by the Kenya Bureau of Standards, providing reliable and accurate testing services for manufacturers. In the UAE, these labs are essential for businesses aiming to ensure that their products comply with both local regulations and international standards.

1. Ensuring Compliance with Regulatory Standards

One of the primary roles of KEBS approved labs in the manufacturing sector is to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. The UAE has stringent regulations governing product quality across various industries, including food and beverage, construction, textiles, and electronics.

Regulatory Compliance

Local and International Standards: KEBS approved labs are well-versed in the local regulations set by authorities like the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) and international standards such as ISO, ASTM, and EN. By conducting thorough testing, these labs help manufacturers ensure their products meet all applicable standards, minimizing the risk of non-compliance.

Documentation and Certification: Upon successful testing, KEBS approved labs issue the necessary certificates and documentation that manufacturers can present to regulatory bodies. This not only streamlines the compliance process but also builds credibility with consumers and business partners.

2. Enhancing Product Quality and Safety

The quality of products is critical for manufacturers aiming to build a strong reputation in the marketplace. KEBS approved labs enhance product quality and safety through rigorous testing processes that identify potential issues before products reach consumers.

Quality Assurance

Comprehensive Testing Services: KEBS approved labs offer a wide range of testing services, including chemical analysis, microbiological testing, and mechanical testing. These services ensure that every aspect of a product is examined, from its composition to its physical properties, thereby reducing the likelihood of defects.

Preventing Contamination and Defects: Regular testing helps identify harmful contaminants, allergens, and other issues that may compromise product safety. By proactively addressing these concerns, manufacturers can prevent costly recalls and protect their brand reputation.

3. Streamlining the Manufacturing Process

Efficient manufacturing processes are essential for productivity and profitability. KEBS approved labs contribute to streamlining these processes by providing timely and accurate testing results.

Efficient Testing Procedures

Quick Turnaround Times: Many KEBS approved labs utilize advanced technologies that facilitate rapid testing without sacrificing accuracy. This allows manufacturers to receive timely results, enabling quicker decision-making and reducing downtime in production.

Support for Quality Control: By incorporating regular testing into their quality control processes, manufacturers can identify and rectify issues early in production. This not only improves overall efficiency but also ensures that final products meet high-quality standards.

4. Building Consumer Trust and Brand Reputation

In today’s market, consumers are increasingly aware of product quality and safety. KEBS approved labs help manufacturers build consumer trust and enhance their brand reputation through transparent testing processes.

Transparency and Accountability

Publicly Available Test Results: Many KEBS approved labs provide publicly accessible test results, allowing consumers to verify the safety and quality of products. This transparency fosters trust between manufacturers and their customers.

Certification Marks: Products tested and certified by KEBS approved labs often carry certification marks that signal compliance with quality standards. Displaying these marks on packaging can enhance a brand’s credibility and attract quality-conscious consumers.

5. Facilitating Market Access and Export Opportunities

For manufacturers in the UAE, expanding into international markets can be a significant growth opportunity. KEBS approved labs assist businesses in navigating the complexities of export requirements.

Support for Export Compliance

International Certification: KEBS approved labs provide testing and certification services that comply with international regulations. This is particularly valuable for manufacturers looking to export their products to markets with stringent quality standards.

Market Entry Support: By ensuring compliance with global standards, KEBS approved labs help manufacturers overcome barriers to entry in foreign markets, ultimately facilitating business growth and expansion.

6. Promoting Sustainable Practices

As the world increasingly emphasizes sustainability, KEBS approved labs play a role in promoting environmentally friendly practices within the manufacturing sector.

Environmental Testing

Sustainability Assessments: Many KEBS approved labs offer environmental testing services that assess the impact of manufacturing processes and products on the environment. This helps manufacturers identify areas for improvement and align their operations with sustainability goals.

Eco-Friendly Certifications: By obtaining eco-friendly certifications through KEBS approved labs, manufacturers can position themselves as responsible and sustainable brands, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.

7. Expertise and Consultation Services

Navigating the complexities of product testing and quality assurance can be challenging for manufacturers. KEBS approved labs provide valuable expertise and consultation services to guide businesses through the process.

Expert Guidance

Understanding Standards and Regulations: KEBS approved labs offer insights into the relevant standards and regulations that apply to specific products. This guidance helps manufacturers navigate the compliance landscape more effectively.

Tailored Testing Solutions: Labs work closely with manufacturers to develop customized testing solutions that meet their specific needs. This personalized approach ensures that testing processes are efficient and aligned with business goals.

Conclusion

In the competitive landscape of the UAE’s manufacturing sector, quality assurance is paramount. KEBS approved labs play a critical role in enhancing quality assurance through rigorous testing, compliance support, and expert guidance. By ensuring adherence to regulatory standards, improving product quality and safety, and facilitating market access, these labs provide invaluable support to manufacturers aiming for success.

As manufacturers increasingly recognize the importance of quality assurance, partnering with KEBS approved labs has become a strategic imperative. By leveraging the expertise and resources offered by these labs, manufacturers can build consumer trust, enhance brand reputation, and position themselves for growth in both local and international markets.

Ultimately, the role of KEBS approved labs in enhancing quality assurance in the UAE’s manufacturing sector cannot be overstated. They are not just testing facilities; they are essential partners in the journey toward excellence and sustainability in manufacturing.

[collegevorti]

Is Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology Worth It? Discover the Benefits!

Dhaka Ahsania Mission, a non-profit voluntary organization in Bangladesh founded the Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) in the year 1995. The private university gets its name from Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah, an outstanding educationist and social reformer of undivided India who was the founder of the Dhaka Ahsania Mission. Therefore, the university has a historic past and was established with the goal of becoming a center of excellence in science, engineering, technology, and business. The objective was the knowledge transfer with human values to the youth of Bangladesh so that they could help in the overall progress of the country. This article will give an overview of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology Admission Requirements, fees, and why students should select the university for shaping their academics and future.

Why Choose Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology?

The university is quite well known for its strong engineering programs, offering quality education in various sciences and technology. It emphasizes industry-relevant practical learning to make students job-ready. Those aspiring to higher studies in research and development can enroll here as the university offers research opportunities within an encouraging scholastic environment. Before we discuss Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology Admission Requirements, here are the key points that make this university special.

1) Robust Programs

The four faculties include:

The Faculty of Engineering has departments of Civil Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Mechanical and Production Engineering, Textile Engineering, and departments of Arts and Sciences.

Faculty of Architecture and Planning with the Department of Architecture.

Faculty of Business and Social Sciences with School of Business.

Faculty of Education.

2) Campus and Infrastructure

The university campus is located at the heart of Dhaka city at Tejgaon Industrial Area covering 1.676 acres of land. It houses seven floors with two basements for parking and heavy machinery labs, a multipurpose hall and a lobby.

3) Placement Opportunities

The university has collaborations with various industries and offers internships and placement opportunities to students, increasing the chances of employability after passing out.

Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology Admission Requirements

A) Undergraduate Admission  

Academic Qualifications

Aspiring students need a strong academic record in their Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) or equivalent particularly in science subjects if applying for engineering or technology courses.   

Entrance Test

Entrance exams in relevant subjects are a must. The subjects include Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, and English depending on the program chosen. The entrance test is offline and aspirants need to appear in person.

International Students

International students need to submit English proficiency scores- IELTS (minimum score 6.0) or TOEFL (minimum score 80) results.

B) Postgraduate Admission

The admission is based on a relevant undergraduate degree and must meet specific academic standards. It might involve an interview process.  

Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology Fees Overview

Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology tuition fees include admission fees, tuition per semester, and other associated costs like lab fees, registration charges, and examination fees. Since the university follows a semester system, the fees vary as some programs span over eight semesters while some others like Architecture cover ten semesters. Therefore, the university website is the right place to get the exact fee as per program.

Overall, the Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology fees include:

Admission Fee – a one-time payment taken at the time of enrolment. It is higher for engineering programs when compared to business programs.

Semester Fee – covers the tuition fee for each semester and includes the costs of attending lectures, using university facilities, and other services. For engineering programs, it is higher due to the need for specialized equipment and laboratories.

Other Fees – Science and engineering students have to pay additional money for laboratory, practical training, and projects.

Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology Tuition Fees: Other Factors to Consider

Fees at AUST can vary due to reasons like inflation, operational costs, and government policies. Students coming from outside Dhaka might need to bear living expenses. Academic materials, tools, equipment, software, etc., might add up to the costs.

Conclusion

To conclude, with its strong academic programs and state-of-the-art facilities, AUST nurtures both professional and personal growth. Choosing Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) means investing in better future opportunities.

[padworks]

The Pillars of Success: Why Quality Assurance Matters in Global Trade

International trade plays an extremely vital role in today's highly globalized world by developing economic growth and prosperity. The more the markets expand, the higher the demand for quality goods grows with it. India, with its rich history in exports, will need to establish strong long-term quality assurance protocols. From ensuring quality of exports to being in adherence with Indian export standards, it all depends upon intensive inspections over the quality of products, sourcing quality goods, and cooperation with “reliable exporters in India.”

Quality Assurance Exports Role

International trade involves so much more than crossing borders—it represents satisfaction of expectations of consumers worldwide. “Export quality assurance” ensures that goods are aligned to meet the standards of quality for India and, respectively, of the country to which they are going. Not enough can be said about how this need cannot be overlooked in an environment as highly competitive as this one, where consumer confidence is the key issue.

Quality assurance has gradually changed from being simply due to compliance to a strategic business practice for Indian exporters. In essence, meeting international standards is essential to establishing trust for enduring partnerships with overseas purchases. From textiles and electronics to agricultural products, the maintenance of international quality standards is about keeping India as one of the biggest exporters globally.

Product Quality Checks in India: The Nerve Centre of International Trade

Ensuring product quality in India is an essential aspect of export quality assurance. These tests ensure that the exported products meet the appropriate local or international quality standards. For instance, Indian agricultural shipments must meet food safety standards in destination countries to avoid rejection. By checking the quality thoroughly, Indian exporters can be certain and assure that their products will meet the requirements and expectations of foreign clients.

India is one of the major exporters in terms of textiles, pharmaceuticals, and machinery, thus rightly building an enormous quality control system at scale that meets world-class requirements. The products undergo physical inspection and lab testing following regulatory guidelines to achieve quality certification.

Indian Export Standards: The Pillar of Global Competitiveness

Another key factor driving India's growth in global trade is its ability to meet international standards and expectations. India's export standards are well tailored to ensure that the products are made within the Indian boundary while meeting or exceeding international quality standards. Whether it is related to safety, durability, or environmental factors, it would be obeyed by Indian exporters to regain a competitive advantage over other international manufacturers.

Sourcing Premium Products from India

India's vast and dynamic economy offers an exceptional variety of premium products for procurement companies worldwide. From textiles and spices to pharmaceuticals and engineering products, “sourcing premium products" in India has become a glorious way for business houses all over the world.

Premium products are identified as those that have achieved best-quality and superior value to clients. Indian exporters have taken considerable efforts over the years to upgrade production processes in order to fill the demand.

Accessibility to good and reliable exporters in India makes it easier to source quality products. Reliable exporters base their business on trust, transparency, and quality-oriented practices. Therefore, such exporters assure buyers from other countries that they are entering into a more long-term relationship with the exporter, who continuously delivers at the same level of high quality demands.

Role of Reliable Exporters in India

The reliability of suppliers is the most critical factor in determining whether an international buyer can successfully trade with an entity. “Reliable Exporters from India” have established reliability through consistent quality, timely delivery, and strict adherence to industry standards. These exporters grasp the significance of international demands and maintain open communication with their clients.

Whether it is a large manufacturing company or some small-scale business enterprise, trust in international trade can only be developed through reliability. Not only that, but quality goods delivered by reliable exporters and also post-sale service are instrumental in retaining a long-term business relationship.

Conclusion

The success of India's exports in foreign markets depends very much on the exporter's commitment to the practice of “quality assurance in exports." From quality check of products in India to compliance of Indian export standards, each phase of the exporting process serves as an effective check to sustain India's momentum in international trade. With sourcing top-quality goods from responsible exporters in India further strengthening the international stature of the country and instilling confidence among foreign buyers. In the course of changing global trade, quality would be one of the essential pillars of export for India.

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[angel12224]

RCA Labs: Leading Testing Labs in Mumbai

In a bustling metropolis like Mumbai, the need for reliable testing services is paramount. Whether it’s ensuring the safety of drinking water or verifying the purity of industrial materials, accurate and timely testing is crucial for maintaining public health and compliance with industry standards. RCA Labs, one of the top testing labs in Mumbai, offers a comprehensive range of services to meet these needs, with a special focus on water quality testing.

The Importance of Testing Labs in Mumbai

Mumbai, being the financial capital of India, is home to a wide variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food processing, and textiles. These industries depend heavily on precise testing services to ensure the quality and safety of their products. Testing labs play a crucial role in helping businesses meet regulatory requirements, optimize processes, and maintain high standards of quality control.

In addition, with increasing urbanization, ensuring the availability of safe drinking water has become a significant challenge for local authorities and residents. Contaminants such as heavy metals, chemicals, and microbial pathogens can easily infiltrate the water supply, posing serious health risks to the population. This makes water testing an essential service, not only for industries but also for households and public institutions.

RCA Labs: Your Trusted Water Testing Lab in Mumbai

RCA Labs stands out as one of the leading water testing labs in Mumbai, offering advanced analytical services to ensure the safety and quality of water. Their state-of-the-art laboratory is equipped with cutting-edge technology and experienced professionals who provide accurate and reliable test results.

Whether it’s testing drinking water, groundwater, wastewater, or industrial effluents, RCA Labs offers a wide range of water testing solutions. Their testing services include:

Chemical Testing: Analysis of water for harmful chemicals such as pesticides, heavy metals (like lead, arsenic, and mercury), and industrial pollutants.

Microbiological Testing: Detection of harmful bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that can cause waterborne diseases.

Physical Testing: Assessment of physical characteristics such as pH levels, turbidity, color, and odor, which are important indicators of water quality.

Effluent Testing: Monitoring of wastewater and industrial effluents to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Why Choose RCA Labs?

RCA Labs has earned a reputation for being a reliable and customer-centric testing lab in Mumbai. Here’s why RCA Labs should be your go-to choice for water testing and other analytical services:

Accredited and Certified: RCA Labs is accredited by national and international bodies, ensuring that their testing methods and results are reliable and compliant with global standards.

Cutting-Edge Technology: The laboratory is equipped with the latest testing instruments and technology, which allows for high-precision analysis of various water samples.

Expert Team: RCA Labs has a team of highly qualified scientists and technicians with extensive experience in water testing. Their expertise ensures that every test is conducted meticulously, delivering accurate results in a timely manner.

Wide Range of Services: RCA Labs offers a diverse range of testing services beyond water, including food testing, chemical testing, air quality analysis, and environmental monitoring.

Quick Turnaround Time: In today’s fast-paced world, RCA Labs understands the importance of delivering results quickly. Their efficient testing process ensures that clients receive their reports in a timely manner.

Committed to Quality and Safety

RCA Labs is committed to providing high-quality testing services to its clients, ensuring that industries, institutions, and households receive the reliable data they need to make informed decisions. Whether you're looking for a water testing lab in Mumbai or need any other analytical testing services, RCA Labs is equipped to meet all your needs with professionalism and precision.

Conclusion

With its advanced technology, accredited services, and expert team, RCA Labs has positioned itself as one of the top testing labs in Mumbai. Their comprehensive range of water testing services ensures that you can trust them to provide accurate, reliable results every time. To learn more about their services or to book a test, visit their official website at RCA Labs.

Make RCA Labs your trusted partner for all your testing needs in Mumbai.

[tsasocial]

Baldwin Technology's TexCoat G4 system ushers in next-gen tech for next gen textile leaders

North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles has been making inroads challenging the conventional pad finishing process and significantly reducing its environmental footprint in collaboration with Baldwin Technology Inc. Front and center in its finishing lab is Baldwin’s TexCoat G4 digital finishing system.

For nearly 125 years, the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State University has been a hub of innovation and learning, transforming students into experts in the world of textiles. As the textile industry grapples with sustainability challenges, the college has embraced new technologies and innovations to address the issue head-on.

At the forefront of this transformation is the Zeis Textiles Extension for Economic Development, an arm of Wilson College that serves the textile industry’s prototyping and pilot production needs in its five laboratories – spun yarn, knitting, weaving, dyeing, and finishing, and physical testing. Collaborations with various textile companies have allowed the university to foster industry partnerships that bring forth groundbreaking ideas.

The partnership with Baldwin Technology marks a major milestone for the Raleigh, North Carolina-based college’s efforts to contribute to a more sustainable tomorrow.

“When a student comes into the school, one of the major things they ask is ‘What are we doing about sustainability?’” said Andre West, Director of the Zeis Textiles Extension at the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State.  “As a university, we need to confront the idea that textiles have not been the most sustainable products out there.” 

To tackle the longstanding challenges of unsustainable fashion, NC State has taken the lead in demonstrating to students and industry the transition from the traditional pad finishing process to Baldwin’s TexCoat G4 system. It offers an innovative “non-contact” precision spray that significantly reduces water consumption, energy usage, and chemical waste.

“Instead of needing to take the fabric, dip it into a bath to saturate it, squeeze the excess, dry and cure it, you can now precisely add the exact amount of finish you need on the fabric,” explained Rick Stanford, Baldwin's VP Global Business Development of Textiles. “The TexCoat G4 system will reduce the amount of pick-up that’s required to carry the chemical onto the fabric. This will also take a lot less energy to dry the fabric, increasing production speeds.” 

The adoption of the TexCoat G4 system signals a new era for the college, allowing students to actively participate in shaping a sustainable future for the textile industry. In the global effort to protect the planet and its resources, NC State's Wilson College of Textiles is at the forefront, preparing the next generation of professionals to be the leaders of the sustainable textile movement.

[metslab-llc]

Middle East Testing Services (METS Lab) - Your One-Stop Solution for Textile and Waste Water Testing in Dubai

Middle East Testing Services (METS Lab) is a leading laboratory in Dubai that offers a wide range of testing services to its clients.

Our primary focus is on textile and waste water testing, which are two critical areas that impact our daily lives.

Our state-of-the-art laboratory is equipped with the latest technology and equipment, making us a reliable testing partner for businesses and individuals alike.

Our Services

Textile Testing Dubai

Textile testing is a crucial process that helps in determining the quality and durability of textile materials. We offer a comprehensive range of textile testing services to ensure that our clients receive the highest quality products. 

Types of Textile Testing

1) Fabric Testing: This includes tests for fabric weight, colorfastness, shrinkage, and tensile strength.

2) Garment Testing: This includes tests for seam strength, colorfastness, and durability.

3) Fiber Testing: This includes tests for fiber content, length, strength, and diameter.

Advantages of Our Textile Testing

Determines the quality and durability of textile materials

Helps in identifying any defects or faults in the material

Ensures compliance with industry standards and regulations

Helps in improving the overall quality of the product

Waste Water Testing Dubai

Waste water testing is an essential process that helps in identifying any contaminants or pollutants present in the water.

We offer a comprehensive range of waste water testing services to ensure that our clients receive clean and safe water.

Our testing services include physical, chemical, and microbiological testing.

Types of Waste Water Testing

1) Physical Testing: This includes tests for temperature, pH, conductivity, and total dissolved solids.

2) Chemical Testing: This includes tests for organic and inorganic pollutants, heavy metals, and nutrients.

3) Microbiological Testing: This includes tests for bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.

Advantages of Our Waste Water Testing

Identifies any contaminants or pollutants present in the water

Helps in ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations

Helps in identifying any potential health hazards

Enables businesses to make informed decisions regarding their wastewater management

Helps in ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations

Conclusion

METS Lab is a reliable and trustworthy laboratory that offers a wide range of testing services to its clients.

Our primary focus is on textile and waste water testing, and our laboratory is equipped with the latest equipment to ensure accurate and reliable results.

Our team of experts is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and ensuring that all testing is conducted to the highest standards.

Contact us today to learn more about our testing services and how we can help you.

[testing-services]

How Textile Testing Services Can Enhance Your Brand's Reputation

In today's competitive textile market, brand reputation is everything. Consumers are increasingly discerning, seeking products that not only meet their style preferences but also adhere to high standards of quality, safety, and sustainability. Textile testing services play a pivotal role in bolstering a brand’s reputation by ensuring that products meet these essential criteria. In this blog, we’ll explore how investing in textile testing services can significantly enhance your brand's reputation and consumer trust.

Understanding Textile Testing Services

Textile testing services are specialized assessments conducted to evaluate the properties, safety, and performance of fabrics and finished products. These services encompass a wide range of tests, including physical, chemical, and performance evaluations. By using accredited textile testing labs, manufacturers can verify compliance with industry standards, ensuring their products are safe and of high quality.

Key Benefits of Textile Testing Services

Before diving into how these services enhance your brand reputation, let’s briefly outline their key benefits:

Quality Assurance: Ensures that textiles meet required quality standards.

Consumer Safety: Identifies harmful substances in fabrics, protecting consumers.

Regulatory Compliance: Verifies adherence to international standards.

Market Differentiation: Helps brands stand out in a crowded marketplace.

1. Building Consumer Trust

Trust is the foundation of any successful brand. Consumers are more likely to purchase products from brands that demonstrate a commitment to quality and safety. By utilizing textile testing services, brands can assure consumers that their products have undergone rigorous testing. Certifications from recognized testing organizations, such as OEKO-TEX® or GOTS, provide tangible proof of a brand’s commitment to quality.

When consumers see these certifications, they feel more confident in their purchase decisions. This trust can lead to increased customer loyalty, repeat purchases, and positive word-of-mouth marketing—factors that are crucial for building a strong brand reputation.

2. Ensuring Product Safety

In an era where consumers are increasingly concerned about product safety, the importance of ensuring textiles are free from harmful chemicals cannot be overstated. Textile testing services can identify harmful substances, such as heavy metals, formaldehyde, and azo dyes, that could pose risks to consumer health.

By offering products that have been tested and found to be safe, brands can position themselves as responsible and ethical choices for consumers. This commitment to safety not only enhances brand reputation but also reduces the risk of potential recalls or legal issues, further solidifying consumer trust.

3. Compliance with Industry Standards

Adhering to international standards is critical for accessing global markets. Many countries require compliance with specific regulations related to textiles, such as REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) in the European Union. By partnering with accredited textile testing services, brands can ensure their products meet these standards, making it easier to enter new markets.

Compliance with industry standards also demonstrates a brand's commitment to quality. When consumers see that a brand meets or exceeds regulatory requirements, they are more likely to view it as a trustworthy and reputable option. This can be especially important for brands aiming to compete in saturated markets where differentiation is key.

4. Showcasing Commitment to Sustainability

Sustainability has become a key concern for consumers, particularly in the textile industry, which has historically been associated with significant environmental impact. By utilizing textile testing services that assess sustainable practices and materials, brands can demonstrate their commitment to eco-friendly practices.

For instance, certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) indicate that a product meets stringent environmental and social criteria. By marketing these certifications, brands can attract environmentally conscious consumers, enhancing their reputation as responsible industry players. This focus on sustainability can lead to a loyal customer base that values ethical practices, further bolstering the brand's image.

5. Reducing the Risk of Product Returns

High return rates can severely damage a brand's reputation. Consumers who receive products that do not meet their expectations in terms of quality or performance are likely to share their negative experiences, potentially dissuading others from purchasing.

By investing in textile testing services, brands can ensure that their products perform as advertised. Testing for durability, colorfastness, and other performance metrics allows manufacturers to identify and rectify issues before products reach consumers. When customers receive high-quality, reliable products, they are less likely to return them, contributing to a positive brand image.

6. Enhancing Brand Differentiation

In a crowded marketplace, standing out is essential. Brands that prioritize quality and safety through rigorous testing can differentiate themselves from competitors. By highlighting the use of accredited textile testing services in marketing materials, brands can communicate their commitment to excellence.

This differentiation can be especially important for new or emerging brands looking to establish themselves. By showcasing testing certifications and results, these brands can position themselves as credible alternatives to established players, enhancing their reputation in the industry.

7. Fostering Innovation

The textile industry is constantly evolving, with new materials and technologies emerging regularly. Textile testing services can provide valuable insights into the performance of innovative fabrics, helping brands stay ahead of trends.

By working with testing labs, brands can explore the potential of new materials while ensuring they meet safety and quality standards. This focus on innovation not only keeps brands competitive but also positions them as leaders in the industry, enhancing their reputation among consumers and peers alike.

8. Creating Positive Customer Experiences

Ultimately, a brand’s reputation is built on the experiences it provides to its customers. By ensuring that textiles are high-quality, safe, and compliant with standards, brands can create positive experiences that lead to customer satisfaction. Happy customers are more likely to become repeat buyers and brand advocates, further enhancing reputation through positive reviews and recommendations.

Conclusion

Investing in textile testing services is not merely a regulatory necessity; it is a strategic move that can significantly enhance your brand's reputation. By building consumer trust, ensuring product safety, complying with industry standards, showcasing a commitment to sustainability, reducing return rates, and fostering innovation, these services play a vital role in shaping a brand's image.

In an increasingly competitive textile market, brands that prioritize quality and transparency through accredited testing will stand out and thrive. By aligning your brand with trusted testing services, you not only enhance your reputation but also pave the way for long-term success and consumer loyalty. In the end, a strong brand reputation built on quality and safety is the most valuable asset any textile manufacturer can possess.

[imaec-digital]

Disposable Garments also contribute to Infection Control.

Reusable Versus Disposable Medical Textiles:

Disposable and reusable textiles are two prominent yet competitive types of materials used in healthcare and other industries where biological and chemical dangers must be avoided. To decrease or prevent disease transmission, all healthcare professionals must wear or use protective fabrics such as gowns, facemasks gloves, and drapes, when working with patients. Despite the fact that disposable textiles are often thought to offer greater protection than reusable textiles, they must be discarded as biohazardous materials right away. Reusable protective textiles, on the other hand, maybe disinfected and laundered for reuse, with a lifespan of more than 50 cycles; however, they may be seen as less protective and time-consuming to maintain. Laundry reusable medical textiles on a regular basis may use more energy and produce more wastewater for the environment. Initially made of cotton, gowns and drapes evolved through time into more tightly woven textiles that were finally coated with fluid-repellent chemicals.

The US Army created very densely woven fabrics coated with fluorocarbon and pyridinium compounds during WWII. Hospitals swiftly adopted these applications after the war. Surgical gowns and drapes were exclusively made of reusable woven fabrics until the 1960s. By the 1970s, healthcare facilities started using new woven textiles with increased protective function and durability. Nonwoven textiles with improved physical and liquid-resistance qualities have been manufactured since the 1950s, and manufacturers have extensively promoted these textiles to the medical community. As an outcome, disposable nonwoven textiles have a substantial market share in the healthcare and other institutional sectors. This upward trend is expected to continue: in the following five years, the North American market is expected to grow by 7% annually. In the United States, disposable textiles have surpassed cotton for surgical gowns, chemical-protective apparel, and other institutional textiles, and they are increasing market dominance in emerging nations like China. Reusable textiles, on the other hand, are retaining market share in Europe, owing to growing worries over pollution produced by the disposal of discarded disposable textiles(4).

A vital barrier to pathogen penetration in the healthcare environment:

Surgical gowns, isolation gowns, surgical isolation gowns, non-surgical gowns, procedural gowns, and operating room gowns are a few of the many words that have been used to refer to gowns meant for use in health care settings. The American National Standards Institute/Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (ANSI/AAMI) consensus standard PB70:2003, titled “Liquid barrier performance and classification of protective apparel and drapes intended for use in health care facilities,” was recognised by the FDA in 2004. The standard introduces new terminology to describe the barrier protection levels of gowns and other protective apparel intended for use in healthcare facilities, as well as the test methods and performance results required to verify and validate that the gown meets the newly defined levels of protection(2).

•AAMI Level 1: Minimal risk, to be utilised during basic treatment, routine isolation, visitor cover gowns, or in a normal medical unit, for example.

•AAMI Level 2: Low-risk, to be utilised during blood draws, suturing, in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), or in a pathology lab, for example.

•AAMI Level 3: Moderate risk, for example, to be utilised during an arterial blood draw, the insertion of an intravenous (IV) line, in the Emergency Room, or in trauma cases.

•AAMI Level 4: High-risk, to be utilised during long, fluid-intensive operations, surgery, or when pathogen resistance is required when infectious diseases are expected, for example (non-airborne)

IMAEC MEDNTEK aims to protect the healthcare workers in all terms:

IMAEC MEDNTEK offers a range of disposable garments which comprises Coveralls, isolation gowns, surgical gowns, wraparounds, and sheets. Our Pro-Fab disposable garments are comprised of a light, soft, anti-static material that provides an excellent barrier against liquids, particles, and pathogens. Our speciality is delivering healthcare and hospital professionals with high-quality personal protective equipment. You can browse our whole selection of medical gowns, which come in a number of styles and fabrics, to find the perfect fit for your institution. Our medical gowns aim to keep wearers secure from infectious diseases, bloodborne pathogens, and potentially dangerous substances by reducing contamination. IMAEC MEDNTEK now also offers sterile surgical gloves and examination gloves made from natural latex for the safety of healthcare workers, and researchers.

[spiritsonic]

So I recently re-read the Silver Age arc and I have a couple of questions. In the future, are characters like Sonic, the freedom fighters and Eggman still well known or do people think they are just legends? Exactly what kind of work do the council make citizens do? Based off how that one citizen was afraid, it doesn't sound good. What have happened to other individuals with special powers who went to the science center? Did you plan on exploring more of Silver futuristic world?

Yo! Good questions. I think the easiest way to cover it all is to give a rundown of how Onyx City is set up. It’s long, so check it out after the jump!

Onyx City is the central hub of a network of automated cities built across the fallen wreckage of Angel Island, now known as Onyx Island. The known world of the city’s inhabitants is a wasteland, destroyed by some unknown disaster. Nobody knows who first built this network of cities, but the technology used draws from the Echidnas’ and Robotnik’s work– as well as, surprisingly, the work of Dr. Ellidy. The present population of Onyx City is descended from refugees from around the globe, but their society is now isolationist; they do not seek contact elsewhere in the world, and nobody is knocking on their door. As far as they know, they’re alone on Mobius.

Onyx City’s society is strictly stratified into categories– labor, scientific, and administrative. Social status is decided by intelligence; children, separated as infants from their birth-families and raised in boarding schools, are rigorously tested at a young age to decide what their class will be. The tests heavily favor calculation and memorization over other forms of intelligence. Once a child’s rank is identified, they’re fitted with their ID cuffs– implants and/or worn devices that clearly identify their class by color-coding, and allow the city’s security system to track them. The color-coding goes like this:

LABOR CLASS: blue to teal. This is what most folks are, including Silver. His big metal glove cuffs and boot-cuffs are his IDs. Teal-class are tasked with manual labor in the city’s massive algae processing plants; the main food staple is robot-farmed algae grown in massive patties out on the wastes, which is transported to the city to be processed into complete nutrient cakes, bio-fuel, plastics, and textiles. Silver frequently skips out of work, using his TK to avoid ID scanners and such. He trades fresh water from his hideout to bootleg food carts in the Night Market instead of relying on the daily algae-cake allotment he’d get for showing up to work.

SCIENTIFIC CLASS: yellow. This is where Schlemmer lands; he’s kinda lower-middle class. The doc’s IDs are brain implants, which he has definitely tampered with, but his rank is also shown on his clothes. Lower-ranking scientists are tasked with maintaining the city’s automated cleaning and maintenance systems, while middle and upper-level scientists may pursue personal research projects. They’re subject to evaluations every few years from the council, where it is decided if their projects are valuable to the city or not. If they are, they can continue. If not, they’re stripped of their lab space and do maintenance work. The science class are submitted to intelligence and performance testing through their whole lives, not just in childhood like the labor class. Schlemmer, like many scientists, has turned to self-inflicted cybernetic modification in an attempt to maintain high scores– his memory problems are likely the result of some homebrew brain surgery gone awry.

ADMINISTRATIVE CLASS: yellow to white. This is pretty much just the Council. Although we didn’t see anybody with white IDs in Silver Age, did we? O ho ho. Anyway, Their masks are their IDs. People are chosen for the Council not through election but instead are personally selected by the administrative A.I. that oversees the entire city network. The origin and intentions of this A.I. are unknown to the people of Onyx City, even the Council, but it influences the thoughts and actions of the Council through the masks they wear. Gold is a special case because her psychic abilities make her resistant to her mask’s subliminal mind control.

SPECIAL CLASS, CRIMINAL: pink. Being knocked down a rank is the main form of punishment in Onyx City, but you can only go so low; when someone at the lowest level breaks protocol, they’re classed as a criminal and forfeit what rights they had left. Incarceration or deportation are the most common sentences, which invariably lead to a cruel death. One may also get into this class if they’re caught with modified or removed ID cuffs.

Folklore about the city’s origins and garbled versions of the history leading up to it –most notably the Kingdom of Acorn’s fight against the Eggman Empire– is common entertainment among the labor class. Most believe it to just be fantasy. Those in the science class have access to fragmentary records from that time period, but nothing is formally taught and seeking it out is not encouraged by the Council. Schlemmer is probably one of the prevailing experts, as he has an enduring respect for and interest in the wonders of the past. The Bits, his robotic assistants, where inspired by the records of Mobian androids. Their friendly, adaptive A.I. was reverse-engineered from some old code he found in the Digital World, which he believes may have once been part of one of those androids.

You may be asking why a place with so many advanced robots needs a massive labor force of regular people, and you’d be right, they don’t. The city could be fully automated and perform better. But the labor force isn’t there to keep the wheels turning, it’s to allow the administration to identify individuals with unusual abilities– such as Silver’s telekinesis. The fast-paced, hazardous, physically-demanding factories are ideal for raising people’s stress levels and forcing them to accidentally awaken or reveal their powers. People with powers are collected by the Council and certain members of the Science Center (not Schlemmer), to be used for experimentation. I don’t wanna go into any more details about that, because that’d spill all my possible future plot beans, but there’s definitely a reason the Council had all that tech on hand to strap down and control Silver and Gold. The labor class is also maintained by the administration because while the city can produce enough resources to keep everyone alive, it would not be able to maintain the quality of life enjoyed by the science class or the administrative class, thus effectively ending their society.

That about covers the questions! I can go more in-depth on the cultural details (like the Night Market), but that’s a pretty comprehensive overview. I do hope to eventually write more stuff in the Silver Age universe, but I haven’t had a good time to get around to it.

[best-testing-lab-uae]

How to Navigate the SASO Certification Process with Dubai Testing Labs | +971 554747210

In an increasingly globalized market, obtaining the SASO Certificate is essential for businesses in Dubai seeking to export products to Saudi Arabia. This certificate ensures that products meet the standards set by the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO). While the certification process may seem daunting, especially for those new to it, working with a qualified testing lab in Dubai can streamline the journey significantly. In this blog, we will guide you through the steps to navigate the SASO certification process effectively.

Understanding the SASO Certificate

The SASO Certificate is a mandatory requirement for a wide array of products, including electronics, food items, textiles, and construction materials, before they can enter the Saudi market. This certification assures consumers that products comply with local safety, quality, and environmental regulations. By obtaining the SASO Certificate, businesses not only enhance their marketability but also build consumer trust.

The Importance of Testing Labs in the Certification Process

Testing labs play a crucial role in the SASO certification process. They are responsible for conducting the necessary tests to verify that products comply with SASO standards. Choosing the right testing lab in Dubai is essential, as it can significantly influence the speed and success of your certification journey.

Step 1: Identify Your Product Category

The first step in navigating the SASO certification process is to identify the specific product category you wish to certify. Different products fall under different SASO regulations, and understanding these categories will guide you in choosing the appropriate testing lab.

For instance, electronic products require specific electrical safety tests, while food items must meet health and safety standards. Make sure you understand the specific requirements for your product category, as this will help you communicate effectively with the testing lab.

Step 2: Research Accredited Testing Labs in Dubai

Once you have identified your product category, the next step is to research accredited testing labs in Dubai. Look for labs that are recognized by SASO and accredited by relevant authorities such as the Emirates International Accreditation Centre (EIAC). Accreditation indicates that the lab meets international standards for testing and calibration.

When evaluating testing labs, consider their areas of expertise, especially in relation to your product category. A lab with a proven track record in your industry will be better equipped to handle your specific testing needs.

Step 3: Evaluate Lab Capabilities and Services

Not all testing labs offer the same range of services, so it's crucial to evaluate their capabilities. Look for labs that provide comprehensive testing services that align with SASO requirements. This may include:

Physical Testing: Assessing the strength and durability of products.

Chemical Testing: Evaluating products for harmful substances.

Electrical Safety Testing: Ensuring compliance with electrical standards.

Performance Testing: Verifying that products function as intended.

By choosing a lab that offers a wide range of testing services, you can simplify the certification process by having all necessary tests conducted under one roof.

Step 4: Consult with the Testing Lab

Once you have shortlisted potential testing labs, schedule consultations to discuss your certification needs. This is a vital step, as it allows you to gauge the lab’s expertise and customer service. During the consultation, be sure to discuss:

SASO Standards: Ask about the specific SASO standards that apply to your product category.

Testing Procedures: Inquire about the lab's testing methods and protocols.

Timeline: Discuss the expected timeline for testing and certification.

Costs: Request a detailed quotation, including any additional fees for retesting or further assessments.

A reputable lab will be transparent about its processes and provide clear answers to your questions, helping you make an informed decision.

Step 5: Prepare Your Products for Testing

Preparation is key to a successful testing process. Before submitting your products to the testing lab, ensure that they are in optimal condition and packaged according to the lab's specifications. This may involve:

Sample Selection: Choose representative samples of your products for testing.

Documentation: Prepare any necessary documentation, including product specifications, materials used, and any previous test results.

Labeling: Ensure that all samples are clearly labeled with product information, including batch numbers and production dates.

Proper preparation will help minimize delays and ensure that the testing process runs smoothly.

Step 6: Undergo Testing and Address Findings

Once you have submitted your products to the testing lab, the actual testing process begins. The lab will conduct a series of tests to evaluate compliance with SASO standards. During this phase, be prepared to address any findings or issues that may arise.

If the lab identifies non-compliance issues, work closely with them to understand the problems and take corrective actions. This may involve adjusting your product design, materials, or production processes. Collaborating with the lab can lead to valuable insights that enhance product quality and compliance.

Step 7: Receive Your SASO Certificate

Upon successful completion of the testing process and addressing any issues, the testing lab will issue a SASO Certificate for your product. This certificate is a critical document that enables you to proceed with exporting your products to Saudi Arabia.

Make sure to keep a copy of the SASO Certificate for your records, as you may need to present it to customs officials or other regulatory authorities during the export process.

Step 8: Maintain Compliance and Renew Certification

Obtaining a SASO Certificate is not a one-time process; it requires ongoing compliance. To ensure continued compliance, consider the following:

Regular Testing: Schedule periodic retesting of your products, especially if there are any changes in design or materials.

Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on any changes in SASO regulations that may affect your product category.

Quality Assurance: Implement a robust quality assurance program to maintain product standards consistently.

Many businesses in Dubai choose to establish long-term relationships with testing labs to facilitate ongoing compliance and support.

Conclusion

Navigating the SASO certification process can seem complex, but working with a qualified testing lab in Dubai simplifies the journey significantly. By understanding the requirements, researching accredited labs, and preparing thoroughly, businesses can effectively obtain the SASO Certificate and enhance their export opportunities to Saudi Arabia.

The certification not only opens doors to new markets but also demonstrates a commitment to quality and safety, ultimately benefiting both businesses and consumers. By following the steps outlined in this blog, Dubai-based companies can successfully navigate the SASO certification process and position themselves for success in the Saudi market.

[cartagenamclean]

Plastic-eating worms may offer solution to mounting waste, Stanford researchers discover

BY ROB JORDAN

Mealworms munch on Styrofoam, a hopeful sign that solutions to plastics pollution exist. Wei-Min Wu, a senior research engineer in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, discovered the larvae can live on polystyrene. (Photo: Yu Yang)

Consider the plastic foam cup. Every year, Americans throw away 2.5 billion of them. And yet, that waste is just a fraction of the 33 million tons of plastic Americans discard every year. Less than 10 percent of that total gets recycled, and the remainder presents challenges ranging from water contamination to animal poisoning.

Enter the mighty mealworm. The tiny worm, which is the larvae form of the darkling beetle, can subsist on a diet of Styrofoam and other forms of polystyrene, according to two companion studies co-authored by Wei-Min Wu, a senior research engineer in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford. Microorganisms in the worms' guts biodegrade the plastic in the process – a surprising and hopeful finding.

"Our findings have opened a new door to solve the global plastic pollution problem," Wu said.

The papers, published in Environmental Science and Technology, are the first to provide detailed evidence of bacterial degradation of plastic in an animal's gut. Understanding how bacteria within mealworms carry out this feat could potentially enable new options for safe management of plastic waste.

"There's a possibility of really important research coming out of bizarre places," said Craig Criddle, a professor of civil and environmental engineering who supervises plastics research by Wu and others at Stanford. "Sometimes, science surprises us. This is a shock."

Plastic for dinner

In the lab, 100 mealworms ate between 34 and 39 milligrams of Styrofoam – about the weight of a small pill  – per day. The worms converted about half of the Styrofoam into carbon dioxide, as they would with any food source.

Within 24 hours, they excreted the bulk of the remaining plastic as biodegraded fragments that look similar to tiny rabbit droppings. Mealworms fed a steady diet of Styrofoam were as healthy as those eating a normal diet, Wu said, and their waste appeared to be safe to use as soil for crops.

Researchers, including Wu, have shown in earlier research that waxworms, the larvae of Indian mealmoths, have microorganisms in their guts that can biodegrade polyethylene, a plastic used in filmy products such as trash bags. The new research on mealworms is significant, however, because Styrofoam was thought to have been non-biodegradable and more problematic for the environment.

Researchers led by Criddle, a senior fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, are collaborating on ongoing studies with the project leader and papers' lead author, Jun Yang of Beihang University in China, and other Chinese researchers. Together, they plan to study whether microorganisms within mealworms and other insects can biodegrade plastics such as polypropylene (used in products ranging from textiles to automotive components), microbeads (tiny bits used as exfoliants) and bioplastics (derived from renewable biomass sources such as corn or biogas methane).

As part of a "cradle-to-cradle" approach, the researchers will explore the fate of these materials when consumed by small animals, which are, in turn, consumed by other animals.

Marine diners sought

Another area of research could involve searching for a marine equivalent of the mealworm to digest plastics, Criddle said. Plastic waste is a particular concern in the ocean, where it fouls habitat and kills countless seabirds, fish, turtles and other marine life.

More research is needed, however, to understand conditions favorable to plastic degradation and the enzymes that break down polymers. This, in turn, could help scientists engineer more powerful enzymes for plastic degradation, and guide manufacturers in the design of polymers that do not accumulate in the environment or in food chains.

Criddle's plastics research was originally inspired by a 2004 project to evaluate the feasibility of biodegradable building materials. That investigation was funded by the Stanford Woods Institute's Environmental Venture Projects seed grant program. It led to the launch of a company that is developing economically competitive, nontoxic bioplastics.

Co-authors of the papers, "Biodegradation and Mineralization of Polystyrene by Plastic-Eating Mealworms. 1. Chemical and Physical Characterization and Isotopic Tests" and "Biodegradation and Mineralization of Polystyrene by Plastic-Eating Mealworms. 2. Role of Gut Microorganisms," include Yu Yang, Jun Yang, Lei Jian, Yiling Song and Longcheng Gao of Beihang University, and Jiao Zhao and Ruifu Yang of BGI-Shenzhen.

[scifigeneration]

Multi-joint, personalized soft exosuit breaks new ground

In the future, smart textile-based soft robotic exosuits could be worn by soldiers, firefighters and rescue workers to help them traverse difficult terrain and arrive fresh at their destinations so that they can perform their respective tasks more effectively. They could also become a powerful means to enhance mobility and quality of living for people suffering from neurodegenerative disorders and for the elderly.

Conor Walsh's team at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) has been at the forefront of developing different soft wearable robotic devices that support mobility by applying mechanical forces to critical joints of the body, including at the ankle or hip joints, or in the case of a multi-joint soft exosuit both. Because of its potential for relieving overburdened soldiers in the field, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) funded the team's efforts as part of its former Warrior Web program.

While the researchers have demonstrated that lab-based versions of soft exosuits can provide clear benefits to wearers, allowing them to spend less energy while walking and running, there remains a need for fully wearable exosuits that are suitable for use in the real world.

Now, in a study reported in the proceedings of the 2018 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), the team presented their latest generation of a mobile multi-joint exosuit, which has been improved on all fronts and tested in the field through long marches over uneven terrain. Using the same exosuit in a second study published in the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation (JNER), the researchers developed an automatic tuning method to customize its assistance based on how an individual's body is responding to it, and demonstrated significant energy savings.

The multi-joint soft exosuit consists of textile apparel components worn at the waist, thighs, and calves. Through an optimized mobile actuation system worn near the waist and integrated into a military rucksack, mechanical forces are transmitted via cables that are guided through the exosuit's soft components to ankle and hip joints. This way, the exosuit adds power to the ankles and hips to assist with leg movements during the walking cycle.

"We have updated all components in this new version of the multi-joint soft exosuit: the apparel is more user-friendly, easy to put on and accommodating to different body shapes; the actuation is more robust, lighter, quieter and smaller; and the control system allows us to apply forces to hips and ankles more robustly and consistently," said David Perry, a co-author of the ICRA study and a Staff Engineer on Walsh's team. As part of the DARPA program, the exosuit was field-tested in Aberdeen, MD, in collaboration with the Army Research Labs, where soldiers walked through a 12-mile cross-country course.

"We previously demonstrated that it is possible to use online optimization methods that by quantifying energy savings in the lab automatically individualize control parameters across different wearers. However, we needed a means to tune control parameters quickly and efficiently to the different gaits of soldiers at the Army outside a laboratory," said Walsh, Ph.D., Core Faculty member of the Wyss Institute, the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences at SEAS and Founder, of the Harvard Biodesign Lab.

In the JNER study, the team presented a suitable new tuning method that uses exosuit sensors to optimize the positive power delivered at the ankle joints. When a wearer begins walking, the system measures the power and gradually adjusts controller parameters until it finds those that maximize the exosuit's effects based on the wearer's individual gait mechanics. The method can be used as a proxy measure for elaborate energy measurements.

"We evaluated the metabolic parameters in the seven study participants wearing exosuits that underwent the tuning process and found that the method reduced the metabolic cost of walking by about 14.8% compared to walking without the device and by about 22% compared to walking with the device unpowered," said Sangjun Lee, the first author of both studies and a Graduate Student with Walsh at SEAS.

"These studies represent the exciting culmination of our DARPA-funded efforts. We are now continuing to optimize the technology for specific uses in the Army where dynamic movements are important; and we are exploring it for assisting workers in factories performing strenuous physical tasks," said Walsh. "In addition, the field has recognized there is still a lot to understand on the basic science of co-adaptation of humans and wearable robots. Future co-optimization strategies and new training approaches could help further enhance individualization effects and enable wearers that initially respond poorly to exosuits to adapt to them as well and benefit from their assistance."

"This research marks an important point in the Wyss Institute's Bioinspired Soft Robotics Initiative and its development of soft exosuits in that it opens a path on which robotic devices could be adopted and personalized in real world scenarios by healthy and disabled wearers," said Wyss Institute Founding Director Donald Ingber, M.D., Ph.D., who is also the Judah Folkman Professor of Vascular Biology at HMS and the Vascular Biology Program at Boston Children's Hospital, and Professor of Bioengineering at SEAS.

[7wanderingpaws]

6: This Is It. (Another Life)

Genre: soulmate/magic AU

Pairing: Jackson x reader

Word count: 2.8K

Song: Bien - Last Man Standing

Synopsis: You are more than happy in relationship with Jackson Wang, the hard-working and successful fencer representing Hong Kong. So what happens when you visit a local witch wanting to know more about your future as a couple?Because you always knew he was the right one for you. Even in another life. But would he really be the one?

((Enjoy! I truly hope you will like it! <3))

*** 1. // 2. // 3. // 4. // 5. // 6. // 7-1. // 7-2. // 8. // 9. // 10. // 11.

- - - This Is It - - -

Hong Kong, 2015

You had a long day at the hospital to say the least. You were rushing from one surgery room to another, running around the labs for the test results just to personally make sure each of your patients was well taken care of. You were still not an independent doctor. You were still supervised by your seniors, still questioned when there was a specific diagnose which meant you underwent lots of stress. 

Jackson might have been joking about you not being constantly at the hospital, but now you could barely find the time to reply to his eager texts. His practices also increased, he was travelling from one fencing or training camp to another, always working hard on himself. 

This was the only time that you didn’t complain about him being away as much as you used to since your home was now the resting room for doctors during shifts.

This particular night you had a night shift at the emergency room which was the one you liked the least. The horrible sights you saw there made you sometimes reconsider your career path but thankfully, you always remembered why you started in the first place. And you did love your job dearly.

“Ms Y/L/N!” you heard an urgent voice when you were checking a patient who was now in a stable condition. “There was a big car accident,” said the nurse and you found yourself rushing to the main entrance, awaiting the ambulances with the injured.

Everything happened in a flash. Once the patients arrived, you’d gotten to see probably your worst ever case as a doctor.

“It’s a young family with two children, both three years old,” said the medical intern as he was rushing them inside. “Children are being checked at the moment, probably nothing serious, but the mother fell out through the rear window.”

The bodies looked just… utterly horrible. Everything was bloody and their skin was coming off, the glass ripping it off of their flesh. You didn’t have time to freeze and throw up as you had to harshly swallow down whatever would come up. 

“We have to take them to the operating room immediately,” you shouted at everyone. “Reschedule whatever surgeries are of smaller importance and prepare it. We are starting right now.” You were already turning around, getting yourself ready as everyone was rushing, doing as they were told.

Right now, you had lives to save.

Hong Kong, 2015

“Y/N, your date literally starts in 10 minutes and you are still here!” shouted Sara as she was running around your apartment. “Here is your dress, change quickly!” She threw the baby-pink dress at your head, leaving you in pinky darkness.

You snatched the glittery textile. “I am not going anywhere,” you stated proudly, sitting down behind your desk. “I have so much work I didn’t get to finish and I am not even interested anymore-”

“What on earth are you talking about?” said Sara as she stood in front of you, her hands on her hips, her face strict but her eyes ever gentle. “I’ll tell you what you are talking about: nothing. You are not saying what you are thinking, honey. You have to go to the date. You have been waiting for this-”

You shook your head frantically, turning on your chair and grabbing whatever paperwork you had there to show Sara that you were, indeed, busy. 

Sara gave out a loud sigh and ran her hand through her blonde hair. “What should I do with you? You are acting like a child, not like a 21-year-old grown woman that I know.”

“Ah, don’t start with this talk,” you whined, not daring to turn to look at her.

“Listen, Y/N. Just hear me out, you don’t have to look me in the face like a well-raised person should,” she added, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “This meeting doesn’t mean anything. You are not going to get engaged, nor is he going to ask you to marry him - yet -” you snapped your head at her angrily “but you still deserve to have fun and enjoy a bottle of wonderfully sweet red wine.”

“I can’t,” you murmured after a few seconds of silence. “I just really can’t.”

“Is it because-”

You sighed, pushing away from your table. “Yes and no. It has been a year and I still haven’t moved forward with my plan. I’m a penniless loser so that is more of a reason for me to give up on the hope of ever seeing him…”

“You will get to see him,” said Sara, her eyes sparkling with something you couldn’t quite read.

You shook your head once again, your entire body giving up. “No, Sara, I will not. I just don’t want to talk about him or anything that has got to do with him.”

“But you love him!” exclaimed Sara loudly.

Your heart skipped. “And yet you are making me go out with Martin!”

“I just want you to have fun and enjoy your youth.”

“No, I can’t. I can’t and I won’t.”

“You are so stubborn, do you know that?” Sara was now shouting. “You are stubborn. You were not like this before.”

“Before as in the past life huh? Well, Sarita, not many things are the same as they were before. Yes, I learned to admit the fact that I love Jackson and it physically hurts - god, you have no idea how it feels like - but I don’t have a chance. In the past life, I had a better family life and more financial resources. Now, I’m stuck with school work and internship and barely managing to survive on daily basis. So I can’t go out with Doctor Martin just because he has lots of money. I don’t and therefore, I won’t be able to afford the sweet red wine.”

You hated shouting at your best friend but you were desperate. You stopped looking at Jackson’s pictures altogether. But there was still the tiny detail that he was representing the country you both come from and so sometimes you would get triggered when you turned on the TV and he would be there, making everyone laugh with his silly actions… 

Heck, he was even a blond at the moment. Now was the time when you could really see how the previous life and the current life took different directions. He never really changed his hair colour before and now, he was there looking so good, so fine, he had much more muscles than you remembered, he looked expensive and elegant and just so high-class that you wouldn’t be able to see his top even if you bended your head with all the tensed up muscles of yours. He was so out of your reach by now, there was no chance he would recognise you. The worst thing was that even if he got to make an eye contact with you, he wouldn’t have to remember you at all. 

“Sara,” you said, your voice strained. Oh no. Were you going to cry again? “I want to get drunk, but only with you.”

Sara looked at you, her sad smile giving you more of a heads up than her cheerful “yes” did.

So after you cancelled with Martin (who bombarded you with messages), you found yourself sipping the wine that Sara was talking.

“You shouldn’t drink that much, Y/N,” said Sara as she threw a green grape into her mouth. “It’s your birthday soon anyway, you should get smashed there.”

You shrugged. “Please. My birthday was never special, why would this one be any better?”

Sara bit her bottom lip, looking down at the ground. “Well, you should totally get laid to make it more special.”

You laughed out loud. “With Martin?”

Sara nodded, amused.

“I totally should, right?” you said, dumbstruck. “Ah, I think I should start contemplating this option.” 

Sara’s phone beeped with a message and as she was listening to your tipsy blabbers, she checked it and she had to hide her immediate excitement that overtook her.

Unknown Number (22:41): Your ticket confirmation no. 2358 for GOT7: Live in Hong Kong has been processed.

 -

“Oh my, I can’t believe we are actually here,” you said as you were inside the arena, waiting for the concert to begin. There were still not many people inside as you got there too early and you were waiting with a bunch of other fangirls outside of the actual stage. “I don’t know how will I ever be able to repay you.”

Sara was smiling proudly and kept checking her wrist watch. “Don’t thank me yet. Just make sure you will do your job properly,” she said and before you could ask what she was talking about, there was a staff assistant who told you to follow her.

“Y/N,” said Sara cautiously. “Don’t freak out, please.” You turned to her, your eyes in little panic. “This is it. You have to make sure he looks you in the eye.”

“Sara, what are you talking about?”

But just then you appeared in an empty room with a long table covered in black cloth. The staff was giving you directions as to what to do and before you could really burst into pure panic, you saw 7 men enter the room. All the girls hid their breaths while you didn’t even know what air was anymore. Jackson was going inside as the first one, followed by the others. His blond hair was quite eye-catching, nicely pushed up, his tank-top showing off his muscled and veiny arms that you knew so well. And here… you were a stranger to him.

You gulped and Sara gave you a squeeze. “I’ll go before you.” She winked at you.

The little event started and all you had to do was just hi-five. Simple. Nothing serious, you didn’t even have to say anything if you didn’t feel like it. 

Now you didn’t feel like doing anything besides hiding somewhere. Your heart was beating so fast you actually had to scold yourself for feeling this way. You were no teenager anymore, what was this silly behaviour of yours?

The line was going way too fast and soon you knew you had to face him. By that time you became completely desperate with ideas as to how to get him to look at you properly. Soon enough, you were saying your greetings to other members, who were very kind and smiley.

Jackson was the last one. He was enchanting for you. He was grinning at everyone, oh, what a handsome smile he had. You knew all his facial features perfectly, god, you were both so into each other and here all you could do was make a two-second body contact with hands and…

“Hey,” he smiled at Sara who was telling him something quickly which made him giggle. “I hope you’ll enjoy the show!” he told her, his voice raspy and deep.

And then it happened.

His eyes fell on you. His big brown eyes met yours as you gave him a gentle smile. Your hand made a contact with his, your hand not stable enough to make a proper clasp with his. 

It felt like the time stopped. He was staring at you, the smile that Sara created on him still lingering on his lips. 

“Hey, Jackson,” you breathed and it didn’t feel weird at all. It felt as if you finally met him after he was at one of his training camps for months. 

“Hey, enjoy the show,” he said to you as if he was distracted. 

He was following you with his eyes and your throat became dry as tears overcame your sincere eyes. He was there. He was right there. You wanted  to hug him, to hold him in your arms, to call him home so you could finally fall asleep next to him, to feel his warm body around yours, to wake up to his sleepy eyes, to his caring messages.

“Please, move forward quickly!” urged the staff. 

And just like that, it was over.

Sara made you turn around to see him once again but he was paying attention to the other fans, of course.

“Sh, don’t cry,” said Sara and you didn’t even feel the tears running down your cheeks. “It’s alright.”

You covered your mouth as you made your way out on your shaky legs.

Jackson stole a glance at your disappearing figure but you didn’t see that anymore. You also didn’t see how he became suddenly dizzy. But that could have been caused by tiredness. How would we know…

Catania, Sicily, 2016

The water was a beautiful turquoise. The waves were small and friendly, nothing dangerous for your body that lacked the ability to swim. You were always scared of the water for no particular reason. Thankfully, nobody made fun of you for that (because you never told anyone besides Jackson).

After all the hard work you’ve been doing in the hospital, this trip to Italy was more than welcomed. The fact that you were able to follow Jackson to his training camp through half of the world meant a lot to you. Since you’ve been spending so much time in the emergency room, you had countless sleepless nights thinking about patients, Jackson being the only person who could calm you down and lull you to a dreamless sleep. So, naturally, you hated coming home to cold, empty bed, him being away for competitions. This way, you could be with him and still enjoy some vacation.

“Hey, Y/N!”

You turned around to see the entire Hong Kong fencing team, Jackson in the lead smiling widely at you. He ran to you, jumping onto you almost making you fall backwards.

“Where have you been, guys?” you asked, laughing as Jackson gave your cheek a wet kiss.

You knew the team so well they were basically considered a big family. Also the other boyfriends and girlfriends of the fencers were there so you didn’t have to feel embarrassed for following Jackson to Sicily.

“Morning training!” wailed Stephan, a year older ginger haired guy. “Which means we are gonna swim to get rid of the tension!” he winked at me.

Jackson giggled as everyone was already taking their sports clothes off.

“I see you were prepared for the swimming session,” you commented, seeing everyone was already dressed in swimming suits.

Jackson pouted at you. “Not me, though. I had to stay longer for-”

“For being sneaky!” chirped in Lena as she grabbed her boyfriend’s arm.

“What? Sneaky?” asked Jackson, shocked. “I didn’t do anything! I was late for personal reasons!”

Oh my. You covered your mouth, deep red blush colouring your cheeks. Everyone gave you a mischievous grin, knowing well you were the reason Jackson was late for the morning training. You wouldn’t let him get out of bed.

“So I’m going to change now and I’ll be right back, okay?” whispered Jackson into your ear, gently touching your skin on your bare hip that was poking out from underneath your red shirt.

You nodded, smiling at him before he took off, his hips handsomely swaying. Everyone was already running into the water and you sighed, sitting down on the blanket you prepared and taking your shirt off.

“Hey, Y/N,” smiled Lena. “You’re not coming? The water’s great.”

You shook your head no kindly. “Sorry, erm, I’m just gonna enjoy the sun for now.” Phew, how much you hated lying. But the fact was that you had zero guts to admit you couldn’t swim when everyone was so good at sports. They were professionals, for God’s sake.

“Oh well, if you don’t want to now, we will just have to do something about it,” said Lena, looking somewhere behind you.

You frowned slightly, not sure what she was on about. Soon enough, you found out when you felt 2 pairs of strong hands grabbing you by your arms and legs.

You shrieked, panic and shocked flooding you. What were they doing?

They were taking you straight into the water. “Guys! Stop being silly, put me down!” you demanded, trying not to sound panicked.

“C'mon, Y/N, have fun with us!” said Lena as she was laughing, and splashed some water at you.

The guys were already in knee deep water. You were squirming, shouting at them to stop, your head spinning around. You were scared of the water. You disliked it and you never wanted to fight your phobia.

“Put me down!” you screamed, panic cutting through your voice. Nobody cared to notice your tears forming in your eyes.

Just when you were about to scream the truth they threw you in, quite far into the deep. Water hit your nostrils and you were choking, unable to catch your breath, sinking, not knowing how to move upwards.

So this is how you and Jackson were supposed to get separated. You would drown.

--- continue ---