Freescale Semiconductors, a leading manufacture of embedded semiconductors based in Austin, Tex., is looking for innovative and envi ronmental designs that make use of its components. So they are inviting engineers and engineering students from around the world to participate in their Freesscale Technology Forum (FTF) Design Challenge.

“Energy management and other green issues are becoming major considerations in virtually every purchase decision, consumer and corporate,” said Mayer. “We encourage the FTF Design Challenge participants to experiment and test the boundaries in designing energy efficient products.”

Freescale is hosting Design Challenges in the Americas, Israel, Japan, Europe, India, and China to reward the most inventive green embedded designs. The Americas Challenge is open to engineers and students, individuals and teams, in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Entrants must use at least one of the following: MMA7260Q acceleration sensor; MPXV5004 pressure sensor; MC9328MXS i.MXS; MC1321X ZigBee package; MCF51QE128 microcontroller; S12XE automotive microcontroller; or MPC8313E-RDB PowerQuicc II Pro processor. (Designs will earn extra points for using increasing levels of Freescale components. See rules online for more details).

Entries must be submitted online by Jan. 31, 2008. The first place winner will receive $10,000, second place $5,000, and third place $2,000. In addition, regional first place winners will be invited to participate in the Grand FTF Design Challenge, competing against first place winners and other those from Israel, Japan, Europe, China, and India for $50,000 and a ticket to the Freescale Technology Forum 2009 of his or her choice. (Winners must attend FTF.) Regional challenges will open over the next six months in Israel, Japan, Europe, India and China. For more information about entry requirements, rules, the design selection process and winner notifications, please visit www.freescale. com/designchallenge.

Business signs — Part 1

Everyone knows their astrological sign, but how about your business sign?

Marketing — You are ambitious yet stupid. You chose a marketing degree to avoid having to study in college, concentrating instead on drinking and socializing, which is pretty much what your job responsibilities are now. Least compatible with Sales.

Sales — Laziest of all signs, often referred to as marketing without a degree. You are also self centered and paranoid. Unless someone calls you and begs you to take their money, you like to avoid contact with customers so you can “concentrate on the big picture.” You seek admiration for your golf game throughout your life.

Technology — Unable to control anything in your personal life, you are instead content to completely control everything that happens at your workplace. Often even you don’t understand what you are saying, but who the hell can tell? It is written that Geeks shall inherit the Earth.

Engineering — One of only two signs that actually studied in school. It is said that ninety percent of all Personal Ads are placed by engineers. You can be happy with yourself; your office is full of all the latest ergonomic gadgets.

Accounting/Finance — The only other sign that studied in school. You are mostly immune from office politics. You are the most feared person in the organization; combined with your extreme organizational traits, the majority of rumors concerning you say that you are completely insane.

Human resources — Ironically, given your access to confidential information, you tend to be the biggest gossip within the organization. Possibly the only other person that does less work than marketing, you are unable to return any calls today because you have to get a haircut, have lunch AND then mail a letter.

Management/middle management — Catty, cutthroat, yet completely spineless, you are destined to remain at your current job for the rest of your life. Unable to make a single decision, you tend to measure your worth by the number of meetings you can schedule for yourself. Best suited to marry other Middle Managers, as everyone in your social circle is a Middle Manager. Senior management — See above -- Same sign, different title.