Gore Tex is the trade name of a membrane which is impermeable against water and in the same run open to the diffusion of water vapor. It was named after the US-American chemist Robert W. Gore, who invented it in 1969. Its main component is the polytetrafluoroethylene which is also the chemical component of Teflon. To create the micro porous membrane, the PTFE gets thermo-mechanically extended. This manufacturing technique was the main invention of Robert W. Gore.The membrane works like this: Its pores are about 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water, what makes it impenetrable against it. For the molecule of the water vapor it is no problem to get through the small pores, because they are smaller than the molecules of liquid water. This makes the Gore Tex fabric perfect for textiles, because they can be water- and windproof, but also breathable. This was not possible before, as there were no materials which provided the same characteristics. There were only fabrics which were watertight, but not breathable. For example plastic, or waxed textiles. The first textiles with the Gore tex membrane were produced and sold in 1976, after the inventor had gotten the patent on the material.The main disadvantage of Gore Tex is, that it is only functionally when the osmotic pressure between the one and the other side of the membrane is high enough, what means that the difference of the temperature must be high enough. So the Gore Tex membrane on a common piece of clothing will stop being breathable when the outside temperature is above 15-18 °C. So the sweat will condense on the inner side of your clothing and you will get wet on the inside.
Anyway on the textiles it is not only the Gore Tex membrane which makes them waterproof.If only the raw membrane would be used, the products wouldn’t be very durable. So the manufacturers use a “sandwich” of different materials, to provide protection for the core membrane. These materials have to be breathable too, because if they are not, it wouldn’t make any sense to use Gore Tex between them. Two typical outer protection materials are polyester and nylon, which are strong enough to resist the dangers of everyday use. On the inner side of the textile there’s mostly also a protection, and additionally a material which makes the cloth comfortable to wear, such as fleece.So today you can get any kind of textiles which use the benefits of the Gore Tex fabric. For example jackets, gloves, shoes, trousers etc… But also other areas make use of the outstanding characteristics, for example it is also used for medical implants, insulation for wires, filters or several parts of bicycles.

Travel and Airline Credit Cards can be an excellent option for those who fly a single airline time and again. They do not fit individuals who usually carry a balance as interest rates are inclined to be rather high. Notably, of late rates have been on the increase. According to many budget travel airline, these cards are not that attractive unless you reside close to an airport that is dominated by a single airline, or your organization usually uses a specific carrier. In my view, it is rewarding to go for bank-based cards since they may give you more incentive options.Nonetheless, it is advisable to consider your travel patterns and finances before picking on specific travel and airline credit cards. The following recommendations should only serve as a beginning point for carrying out an in-depth study regarding your specific travel needs. Consider some of the examples below:Gold Delta SkyMile Credit Card from American ExpressDelta has a widespread network of partners and cities throughout the world, which make it perfect to think about their offers. American Express is widely accepted despite some complaints from budget travelers. Delta offers 30,000 extra miles for those who charge 500 dollars on their card within the first three months. The good news with SkyMiles is that they are accepted on a number of international air carriers including Singapore Airlines, Air Jamaica and Air France. They now give 2,500 extra miles to those who make 10,000 dollars in purchases in one year. However, the yearly fee can go to a high of 95 dollars, which amounts to bad news.British Airways Visa Signature CardVery few airlines can match the offers given by British Airways. Currently, they offer 50,000 extra miles just for signing up. Additionally, you will receive double BA Miles for each dollar you spend on the products sold by the airline. British Airways also combine with other reward partners like Alaska Airlines and American Airlines to give approximately 600 destinations to which customers can fly. The good news with British Airlines is that they offer numerous local and international flights. They also give a second companion ticket, which is usually free, when you pay the full amount for the first. However, the yearly fee can amount to 95 dollars, which is not good news. Additionally, only those residing in the United States are eligible.Looking at the two examples, travel and airline credit cards can help you save a lot if you are of the travelling type.

You’ve waited a long time but finally, your Social Security disability hearing has been scheduled. With wait-time statistics for 2010 averaging 442 days, more than likely, you have waited at least a year for this important day. Now that it’s here, what will it be like? And how can you prepare yourself for your meeting with the judge?The Judge Wants to Know about YouYour Social Security disability attorney has probably told you that your hearing could very well be your last chance to prove to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that you deserve disability benefits. If you’re nervous, that’s quite understandable. But keep in mind that your Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) is very interested in meeting with you face-to-face so that he or she can get a clear picture about you and your medical disability. After all, the ALJ’s job is to make sure that you are given a fair decision.The Setting for your Disability HearingMaybe you were expecting that your hearing would be held in a big, intimidating court room and you would be sitting in a witness stand with the judge towering over you. The setting is nothing like this. Social Security disability hearings are usually held in small conference rooms, and you and your disability attorney will be seated at a table facing the judge. The judge may also have a hearing assistant present to take notes or record the proceedings. You can have a few witnesses there too, though they cannot speak for you. How should you dress? Be neat but be yourself. This is not a dressed up business meeting. In fact, the hearing is a very informal event.What the Judge Wants to Know about YouThe purpose of the hearing is for the judge to get a full understanding of why you can’t work. Remember, to be approved for disability benefits you must be unable to do any kind of work. So even if you can’t perform the duties of the job you once did, the judge will consider if you have other work skills or if you can learn something new. Your work capabilities and how your medical disability impacts the way you function throughout your day are key factors that influence the decision.The Judge’s Questions – Stay True to YourselfIt would be a good idea to take some time and review your case before you go to your hearing, paying close attention to what your doctors have said about your condition. There may be something in your medical records that the judge will want to ask you about.Also, since your hearing is about proving to the judge that you have a medical disability, you don’t want to mask how you’re feeling when you meet. If the judge asks, “How are you today?” you surely don’t want to say, “I’m just fine.” Just try to stay focused on the judge’s questions. Keep your answers as direct as possible. Be truthful. Don’t exaggerate. And if you can’t remember something, just say so.You will have time before the hearing to go over things with your Social Security disability attorney. You will be briefed some more on what to expect and how to handle questions. Even if you feel nervous, try to take it in stride.The Hearing DecisionA Social Security disability hearing actually shouldn’t take that long. It may only take 20 minutes or, at most, an hour. But, you may not know right away if you’re approved. It is extremely rare to get a decision right then and there, which is called a bench decision. So, unfortunately, you’ll probably have to wait another two to four months before you know if you are approved for your disability benefits. Hopefully, the judge’s decision will be what you’ve been waiting for.

Planning a company conference is an involved task. It isn’t just a matter of developing an agenda, finding a venue, scheduling events, and booking a caterer. A conference is a time for bringing together all of the people within the organization and renewing the spirit of camaraderie and shared goals that makes any company a successful venture.This is perhaps the most difficult aspect of a conference. The underlying theme of the corporation has to be a part of the event, yet the day to day working environment has to be enhanced by a feeling of enjoyment to be associated with the company. In a way, a corporate conference is a celebration of the people who work there as much as of the company itself. This is where conference entertainment can play such an important role.Generally speaking, a conference is understood to be a time for the all of the associates to let their hair down a little, while still maintaining a focus on the continued success of the company. The usual protocol of the office is relaxed somewhat, and the associates have an opportunity to interact in a more personal way. Conference entertainment can help to provide the optimum environment for everyone to have some fun while reaffirming their commitment to the company.Another positive aspect that conference entertainment can provide is the opportunity for the associates to engage in team building activities. This is critical to any business, and can be achieved with the right events. One example could be a casino theme, complete with blackjack tables, a roulette wheel, and a craps table. Here the associates could get involved in barracking for each other as the games progress, cementing the feeling of mutual support and a shared goal.The spirit of competition can also be kept alive in such an approach. Although a successful company is a team effort, each individual within the organization has to perform at their ultimate level to achieve that success. The head-to-head play at a blackjack table or roulette wheel can get the competitive juices flowing, while rewarding skillful gamesmanship with positive reinforcement. A trophy or other special recognition, such as a “winner’s circle” at a dinner event, can add even more incentive for everyone to be the best they can be.The spirit of togetherness in an organization can be celebrated in other ways as well. Conference entertainment can be especially exciting when a theme for the entertainment is used that will include everyone’s involvement. Themes such as a “Las Vegas Night” or even a specialty theme, such as “Casino Royale”, will encourage all of the associates to dress for the occasion, in styles that they wouldn’t normally wear in the workplace. This approach can add another facet of celebration that can take the conference from a business-as-usual feeling to a memorable event, especially if the celebration becomes an annual tradition.These are just a few of the ways in which conference entertainment can help to make a corporate event into a successful and rewarding aspect of the agenda. The company that includes all of the members of the organization in a celebration of the shared feeling of togetherness and shared accomplishment will ensure their continued success in the future.