Potato Starch

n the past, fields of wheat and rows of potatoes were seldom destined for anything more than a rumbling tummy. But bio-products have come a long way since people first branched out into weaving hemp into clothes and pulping papyrus into scrolls. Today the line between Mother Nature and man made has never been more blurred. Animals are re-engineered into living drug factories, crops fuel our cars and now plants are increasingly being repackaged as the epitome of the synthetic world – plastic. Wheat, maize, vegetable oils, sugar beet and even the trusty spud are finding new life as water bottles, car fuel lines and laptops. Wheat, maize, vegetable oils, sugar beet and even the trusty spud are finding new life as water bottles, car fuel lines and laptops. | Bio-plastics harness the natural structures found in crops or trees, such as slightly modified forms of the chains of sugars in starch or cellulose, that share the ability to be easily reshaped that has made conventional oil b ased plastics so useful. Bio-materials scientists are also constantly tweaking these natural structures to try and better replicate the durability and flexibility of conventional plastics.Global business is now turning to bio-plastics for an increasing number of applications, as consumers and governments demand cleaner alternatives to petroleum based technologies and their reckless production of the greenhouse gas CO2. Worldwide players, such as DuPont and Toyota Motor Corp, are making vast investments in new technologies and processing plants with the hope of cornering a multi-billion pound industry. The â€Å"BC† at Bangor University in North Wales has 18-years experience of working with large companies and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to find sustainable and viable bio-based alternatives to man-made materials.BC director Paul Fowler  points out that  Ã¢â‚¬Å"practically anything that you can find as polyethene you can find as a bio-plastic. You are talking abou t a whole range of everyday products – cups, combs and wrappers, everything you can think of is out there. There are inroads being made all the time   – on the one hand there is research into trying to get biological alternatives to replicate the properties of conventional plastics and on the other hand people are looking at the natural properties of these plants and trying to find an application for them. Most of the manufacture is happening in the US and continental Europe.The UK is a producer of wheat starch and biotimber but the only major bioplastic producer is Innovia Films in Cumbria, which produces cellulose films. † Innovia Films has an annual turnover of ? 400m, employing 1,200 people worldwide and producing more than 120,000 tonnes of film – used in packaging to protect food. Japan is also forging ahead, from the leading role in bioplastic production played by Toyota to its recent passing of a triumvirate of laws pushing forward environmental initiatives. In South Korea too there is a rapid drive to replace conventional plastic packaging with polylactic acid bio-plastics.Fowler says bio-plastics also offer an opportunity to get a double return for the energy used in their manufacture – first as a useful item and secondly as a fuel source. â€Å"My view is that we should burn them at the end of their life to recover energy, which could be then used to produce new materials,† he said. â€Å"In the first instance you have a valuable resource can use, be it as packaging or a shopping bag, and then you are also getting some energy back at the end of it. The biggest advantage of such bio-materials is the reduction of CO2 emissions in their production over petrochemical-based plastics. He also suggests  that burning bio-plastics would also avoid the problems caused by them breaking down and producing methane, which is 25-times more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO2. The BC is currently looking at developing n aturally-derived alternatives to phthalates, which are plasticisers added to PVCs to make them more flexible in products such as electrical cable flex. It follows concerns that phthalates are metabolised in the body into substances that can mimic the body's own  hormones, including those concerned with fertility.The centre is also developing bio-resins, natural alternatives to synthetic resins such as phenol and formaldehyde. What types of bioplastic are there? The common types of bio-plastics are based on cellulose, starch, polylactic acid (PLA), poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), and polyamide 11 (PA11). Cellulose-based plastics are usually produced from wood pulp and used to make film-based  products such as wrappers and to seal in freshness in ready-made meals. Thermoplastic starch is the most important and widely used bioplastic, accounting for about 50pc of the bio-plastics market.Pure starch’s ability to absorb humidity has led to it being widely used for the production of drug capsules in the pharmaceutical sector. Plasticisers, such as sorbitol and glycerine are added to make it more flexible and produce a range of different characteristics. It is commmonly derived from crops such as potatoes or maize. | FOMA(TM) N701iECO phone made of PLA bioplastics reinforced with kenaf fibres developed by NEC, UNITIKA and NTTDoCoMo  © Paul Fowler| PLA is a transparent plastic whose characteristics resemble common petrochemical-based plastics such as polyethylene and polpropylene.It   can be processed on equipment that already exists for the production of conventional plastics. PLA is produced from the fermentation of starch from crops, most commonly corn starch or sugarcane in the US, into lactic acid that is then polymerised. Its blends are used in a wide range of applications including computer and mobile phone casings, foil, biodegradable medical implants, moulds, tins, cups, bottles and other packaging. PHB is very similar to poylpropylene, which is used in a wide variety of fields including packaging, ropes, bank notes and car parts.It is a transparent film, which is also biodegradable. Interest in PHB is currently very high with companies worldwide aiming to expand their current production capacity. There are estimates that this could lead to a price reduction below five euros per kilogram but this would still be four times the market price of polyethylene in February 2007. The South American sugar industry has commited to producing PHB on an industrial scale. PA 11 is derived from vegetable oil and is known under the tradename  Rislan.It is prized for its thermal reistance that makes it valued for use in car fuel lines, pneumatic air brake tubing, electrical anti-termite cable sheathing and oil and gas flexible pipes and control fluid umbilicals. These are often reinforced with fibres from the kenaf plant, a member of the hibiscus family traditionally used to make paper, to increase heat resistance and durability. At the c utting edge of bioplastic technology lie polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) materials. These are derived from the conversion of natural sugars and oils using microbes.They can be processed into a number of materials including moulded goods, fibre and film and are biodegradable and have even been used as water resistant coatings. What are the benefits of bio-plastics? – Reduced CO2 emissions. One metric ton of bio-plastics generates between 0. 8 and 3. 2 fewer metric tons of carbon dioxide than one metric ton of petroleum-based plastics. Electronic giant Sony uses PLA in several of its smaller components, including one of its new walkmans, but in future hopes to use PLA-based polymers to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 20pc and non-renewable resource input by 55pc compared to oil-based ABS. Rising oil prices Despite currently costing more to produce than conventional plastics bio-plastics are becoming more viable with increasing and instability in oil prices, which are in turn triggering spikes in conventional plastic costs, illustrated in a sharp upturn two years ago. Dwindling oil supplies means that man will eventually be forced to turn to a sustainable basis for plastics. – Waste Bio-plastics reduce the amount of toxic run-off generated by the oil-based alternatives but also are more commonly biodegradable.The US’s second largest biopolymer producer Metabolix, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, claims that its plastics are biodegradable in composting bins, wetlands and the oceans. On the flip side not all bio-plastics are biodegradable and there are a growing number of conventional plastics that can naturally break down. The downside of their biodegradability is the methane that can be released as the bio-plastics decompose is a powerful greenhouse gas. – Benefit to rural economyPrices of crops, such as maize, have risen sharply in the wake of global interest in the production of biofuels and bio-plastics, as countries across the world look for alternatives to oil to safeguard the environment and provide energy security. – Enhanced properties In some fields engineered bio-plastics are now beating oil-based alternatives at their own game. Multinational materials giant Arkema has produced a form of Rislan PA11 that is being used in Europe and Brazil in fuel lines to carry biofuels as it is better able to withstand the corrosive effects of biofuels than oil-based alternatives such as polyamide 12.Rislan is widely used in oilfield applications as well as automotive brake lines. Elsewhere innovations in PA11 production are helping increase car passenger safety and reduce the risk of accidents by inhibiting spark ignition in the fuel lines. US car giant General Motors has replaced its non-conductive fuel-pump modules for new North American car models as it felt it was the best material for the job.In the US chemical multinational DuPont says it has developed a bioplastic derived from corn sugar that has superior stiffness and strength to its naturally based competitors. Global electronics corporation NEC has produced a kenaf-reinforced laptop casing, made of 90pc PLA, which helps reduce overheating by conducting heat better than stainless steel coupled with high temperature resistance and increased strength. Who are the flagwavers? Bio-plastics are not being produced by a group of hippies brewing up in their garage.Some of the world’s largest companies including multi-billion dollar chemicals company DuPont, car manufacturer Toyota, UK-based Innovia, US food processing behemoth Cargill and electronics giants NEC and Fujitsu are pouring money into driving the technology and production forward. NEC and its partners Unitika and NTT DoCoMo produce mobile phone and laptop casings based on plant-derived bio-plastics, mostly PLA. NEC plans to expand its green credentials by substituting more than 10pc of the oil-based plastics in its electronic products with bio-plastics by 2010.Toyota Moto r Corp uses mainly PLA bio-plastics, derived from sweet potatoes corn and sugar beet, reinforced with kenaf to produce components for its cars such as the Prius and Lexus. It hopes to grow its bio-plastics division into a four billion yen business by 2020 and capture two thirds of the global market for petroleum free plastics. Fujitsu introduced its FMV BIBLO notebook PC series two years ago, which it has manufactured using a material called Ecodear, a combination of 50 pc PLA and an oil-based plastic.Fujitsu is now developing a castor oil derived PA 11 plastic with Arkema, which is more flexible and will help expand its use of bio-plastics in notebook computers. The material can withstand repeated bending thanks to scientists weakening the interaction of the chain molecule in PA 11 and relaxing the stereoregularity of their organisation. The improved durability means its prototypes of PC cover components consist of 60-80 percent of the new bioplastic, an unprecedented achievement t o date.Fujitsu is also using high density fillers to increase strength and extend its use into notebook covers and other applications requiring high impact resistance. The new material is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 42pc compared to oil-based nylon 6/6. DuPont in particular is continuing to expand the market for bio-plastics and plans to continue to offer hybrid bio/conventional plastic materials until the market matures, which could eventually cost less than the oil-based alternatives.DuPont has teamed up with sugar giant Tate ; Lyle to build the world’s largest aerobic fermentation plant in Loudon in Tennessee in the US for the production of bio-PDO, with a capacity of 45,000 metric tonnes a year. The largest commercial producer of bioplastic in the US is NatureWorks, owned by Cargill. The company’s plant in Blair, Nebraska uses corn sugar to produce PLA plastics packaging material and its own Ingeo-brand fibres. What lies ahead?With US President Geor ge Bush’s recent pledge to produce 35 billion gallons of renewable and alternative fuel by 2017 – driving the price of maize up 60pc in the past two months – the farmer’s field is fast turning into a high tech bio-battleground. Mr. Fowler warns that the still fledgling industry will have to fight for space and commercial viability as millions of hectares are given over to corn, rapeseed and sugarbeet for bio-fuel production. â€Å"There is a real tension between the use of agriculture for fodd versus plastics and other non-food uses and this whole move to produce new fuels,† he said.Whereas only two years ago plant materials were at the cheap end of the market and bio-products such as straw had little value, now it is really much more costly. There would have to be a step change in the extent of the production to match oil-based plastics. The amount of bioplastics produced worldwide is less than 200,000 tonnes a year; contrast that with the more th an 30 million tonnes of oil-based plastics. You can see we have a long way to go before they replace conventional plastics†. – July 2007

Educator Role Plan Essay

Envisioning my future and creating my personal strategic plan addressing my professional development needs for my career is imperative as I face changes in my career post-graduation. Realizing my strengths and weaknesses will allow for development in the areas of need. Faculty educators may perform different roles such as advisors and mentors. A strategic plan with set goals and sub-objectives will allow for prioritization and planning in meeting the requirements of the different roles. Professional organizations such as the National League of Nursing (NLN) also allow for networking opportunities, resources, and tools to meet the goals. Strengths and Weaknesses â€Å"Preparing new nurse educators, nurse educator curricula must address the core knowledge and skills essential for effectiveness and excellence in the nurse educator role† (Kalb, 2008, p. 217). Identifying strengths and weaknesses will enable the nurse educator to address and develop areas that are considered weaknesses and flourish in areas of strength. My primary weakness is that when work is slow, I tend to become less motivated. While some nurses would take that extra time on the floor to catch up on menial tasks, I would take the time to relax. I realized that early in my career as a floor nurse, so I would always ask for the first admission or look for ways to assist the team. With that being said, my strength from that is that I work well under stress. The closer I get to a deadline, the better my thought process seems to work. In order to develop my weakness, it is important that I manage the down time appropriately. Strategic Plan The nurse educator role, whether it is as faculty, school nurse, or public health, is essential to the development of the profession. â€Å"Nursing faculty drive the work that occurs in schools of nursing† (Milone-Nuzzo & Lancaster, 2004, p. 506). Nurse educators are the key to preparing a workforce that will provide quality care for the communities in which they serve. There is a core of skills and knowledge that the nurse educator will require, regardless of his or her particular role. The responsibilities of educators in various settings may differ in certain aspects, but the main role of any educator is to facilitate learning. â€Å"One method of future planning is to reflect on several possible scenarios and create a vision to support the desired outcome† (Hinojosa, 2012, p. 34). Faculty educators may perform roles such as advisors, lecture and clinical education sessions, skills labs, faculty committees, mentoring, maintaining competencies and accreditations. Faculty is responsible for curriculum development, student assessment and evaluation, and integrating appropriate teaching styles where necessary (Finke, 2009). To meet the objective to perform the roles, goals should be set with clear sub-objectives to identify the plan over the three to five year setting. Goal #1 To become an active member in the profession of nursing faculty at the local community college. Sub-Objective #1 In order to meet my goal, my first sub-objective would be to complete my education in the Master of Science in Nursing in education (MSN/ED) with the University of Phoenix. Sub-Objective #2 After graduation, I would develop a resume indicating educational and career background. Sub-Objective #3 I will apply, interview, and accept employment at the local community college, thereby meeting my goal. Goal #2 To commit myself to continual and lifelong learning to ensure I am knowledgeable and qualified to teach. Sub-Objective #1 After completion of the MSN/ED program at University of Phoenix, determine if more education for either nurse practitioner or Doctorate will be indicated for career advancement. Sub-Objective #2 Continue my education through continuing education units that will enhance and develop previous learning. Sub-Objective #3 Increase knowledge of culturally diverse students to better assist them in their learning experience. Professional Organization The NLN is an organization that addresses the academic spectrum of nursing programs. The NLN includes nurse faculty members and is â€Å"committed to delivering improved, enhanced, and expanded services to its members and championing the pursuit of quality nursing education for all types of nursing education programs† (National League of Nursing, 2014, para. 2). The NLN provides tools, activities, and resources to ensure the success of nursing educators. This organization offers career development and networking opportunities. Conclusion The NLN is a professional organization that provides resources for the members to be successful in nursing education. As new nursing faculty, a strategic plan with set goals will be key to meet the demands of a nursing educator. Development of strengths and weaknesses will allow for professional growth and development and I face the changes in my career post-graduation. References Finke, L.M. (2009). Philosophical foundations of the Curriculum. In D.M. Billings, & J. A. Halstead (Eds.), Teaching in nursing: A guide for faculty (3rd ed., pp. 3-17). St. Louis, MO: Saunders/Elsevier. Hinojosa, J. (2012). Personal strategic plan development: Getting ready for changes in our professional and personal lives. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66(3), e34-8. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1017693193?accountid=458 Kalb, K. A. (2008). Core competencies of nurse educators: Inspiring EXCELLENCE in nurse educator practice. Nursing Education Perspectives, 29(4), 217-9. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/236656695?accountid=458 Milone-Nuzzo, P., & Lancaster, J. (2004). Looking through the right end of the telescope: Creating a focused vision for a school of nursing. Journal of Nursing Education, 43(11), 506-11. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/203966935?accountid=458 National League for Nursing. (2014). Faculty pr ograms and resources. Retrieved from http://www.nln.org/

Audience Analysis and Reception Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Audience Analysis and Reception - Essay Example Also, since the audience is the management of the workplace, I must also keep in mind that my report should be concise and to-the-point, since the management would not have enough to time to spare and read a lengthy report with more hanky-panky and less real content. The report should reflect the overall impression of the organization. The most important things to consider while writing a formal report are its tone, structure, and length. However, other audience needs include their age and educational level. I must not present complex, technical information to non-technical audience. To go into some more detail, a formal report must contain some or all of these structural components, keeping in view that the management is going to judge me on the basis of the report I present to them. I must give proper consideration to the front matter, the body of the report, and the back matter. The front matter includes a little information about the addressee, the executive summary of the report, the title page, table of contents, and lists of figures and tables. The body of the report should include introduction to the report, the discussion of findings and results, and the conclusion. The back matter must contain the appendix, references, and glossary. This is how I should format my report when I have to present it to the management, keeping in view the needs of the audience. It is also important to discuss here the risks of not considering the audience’s needs. The main risk is that the management will consider me as an irresponsible individual, with no sense of how to deal with seniors. Although the management already knows my educational and professional background, yet they will expect me to prove myself after I have become an employee with their organization. My overall impression as an employee will get destroyed in case I present a report that is void of audience awareness. My chances of getting

Formalist and Expressionist Concepts of Art Essay

Formalist and Expressionist Concepts of Art - Essay Example Clive Bell argues this point by stating that â€Å"to appreciate a work of art we need bring with us nothing from life, no knowledge of its ideas and affairs, no familiarity with its emotions† (cited in Warburton 10) This contention accurately depicts the â€Å"art for art’s sake† attitude taken by many artists and art critics subscribing to more formalist frameworks, which eschew the importance of representation and context in art production and art appreciation but judge the value of an art on its coherence, composition, and masterful use of forms.  The influence of formalism on artists and their work is particularly evident in the paintings of the old masters. Caravaggio’s fourteenth-century masterpiece â€Å"Bacchus,† for instance, which shows the ancient diety as a drunken young man in a reclining pose, is interesting in the formalist sense not because of the artists’ impressive ability for representation but for the manner by which th e painting itself draws attention to the contours and shapes of the human body, as well as the contribution of the colors used by Caravaggio to lend warmth, depth, and meaning to his work. In the painting, Caravaggio uses the traditional techniques of portraiture to present to present a well-composed, balanced picture of Bacchus trying to cover his naked torso with drapery while offering a goblet of wine either to the painter or to the painting’s viewers. This is achieved through the use of a color pallete dominated by muted red and green hues that direct the viewer’s attention to Bacchus’ face .... The influence of formalism on artists and their work is particularly evident in the paintings of the old masters. Caravaggio's fourteenth-century masterpiece "Bacchus," for instance, which shows the ancient diety as a drunken young man in a reclining pose, is interesting in the formalist sense not because of the artists' impressive ability for representation but for the manner by which the painting itself draws attention to the contours and shapes of the human body, as well as the contribution of the colors used by Caravaggio to lend warmth, depth, and meaning to his work. In the painting, Caravaggio uses the traditional techniques of portraiture to present to present a well-composed, balanced picture of Bacchus trying to cover his naked torso with drapery while offering a goblet of wine either to the painter or to the painting's viewers. This is achieved through the use of a color pallete dominated by muted red and green hues that direct the viewer's attention to Bacchus' face and t hen leads it to the hand offering the goblet. Likewise, Caravaggio uses mostly rounded shapes and contours that heighten the sense of organic, flowing quality of Bacchus' body, the wine, and the drapery. Caravaggio also creates depth by utilizing color techniques to create a sense of space within the painting using contrasts between light and dark colors. It is through the use of these elements that Caravaggio's picture of Bacchus becomes a thing of value in the formalist sense, since it is through the interaction between the forms in the painting that the artists' rendering of the deity evokes aesthetic feelings in the viewer. On the other

Designing and Implementing Effective HRD Programs Essay

Designing and Implementing Effective HRD Programs - Essay Example Hence, selection of appropriate methods that fulfill the purpose of training has an incremental effect on employees’ skill set and motivation, and relevance to management’s objectives needs to be selected (Carr, 1999). Â  In the light of my past experiences, it was observed that where HR department managed to select appropriate training topics for the workforce, training sessions intended to develop soft skills i.e. presentation skills etc, were considered as a leisure activity due to ineffective evaluation processes with intangible outcomes. A thorough analysis of the research method helped in developing an understanding that evaluation processes need to be amalgamated into the lesson plans and overall activity planning. Furthermore, peer evaluations and knowledge of industry’s best practices on the subject matter along with a concrete understanding of intended outcomes helps in developing relevant and effective evaluation processes. Â  Rockwell Collins faces a major issue of lack of accessibility of training resources to the employees as it has an extensive workforce scattered at different stations. Since the HR department is centralized and does not have a physical presence outside headquarters, it is important to identify how the training can be made available to the employees outside the physical proximity of HR department. First and foremost, support of organizational leadership needs to be acquired in order to extend delivery of training in secondary workstations. Secondly, close observation of employee performance and work schedule needs to be performed. Where HR department is aware of employees schedule outside headquarters, sending company’s trainers at a particular destination and arranging training may do the needful.

Difference Between Conflict Theories Assignment

Difference Between Conflict Theories - Assignment Example Marx and Simmel visualize this as a conflict that arises due to constant change and erosion within the society. The social distribution of power tilts the balance allowing some to be higher than the rest and making others subjects. According to this theory, there are general assumptions that human beings are essentially self-oriented and inclined to pursue their own interests at the expense of others. This means that there will be clashing ideologies that need to be synthesized and a compromise arrived at. As noted, these two theorems look at society from different angles. They both view the society as a source of values and customs but diverge in the area of analysis: structural theorists view it a source of cohesion while conflict theorists look at it as a source of conflict. 2-Explain the Idea of Dialectical Change by way of an Example. According to the dialecticians, any existing notion or thesis has an opposing notion or an anti-thesis. This means that every ideology in the worl d has an equal opposing factor that keeps it in check for equity to be achieved. This equity comes in the form of a compromise which is termed as synthesis. For instance, the best way to define this is by looking at society as a whole. The political class is always on the run for who is best and who is fit to lead the people whether as a senator or as a representative. The campaigning period is the most competitive of all with each trying to woo voters to their camps. They look for all ways through which they can eliminate their opponents by digging deep into the past and coming up with details that may taint their names and present them as unfit for public service. They create slogans that seek to motivate their supporters to shun the other camp. The compromise here is the fact that there are laws that govern this political theatrics and that the others have a chance to cast their votes and choose the very best that they perceive as their ultimate choice.

Canadian economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Canadian economics - Essay Example During the first half of 2003, a rapidly appreciating currency cut deeply into net exports in most Canadian traded goods industries. The auto industry was among the hardest-hit sectors. Automotive products have traditionally generated an important trade surplus for Canada, offsetting continuing large trade deficits in most other high-value and high technology manufacturing products. Already, however, the appreciating dollar has reduced Canada's automotive trade surplus by 50 percent (compared to the first half of 2002). Short-run impacts of a higher dollar include both reduced real shipments and shrinkage in the domestic value of Canadian exports (most automotive exports are priced in U.S. dollar terms). Even more important longer-run impacts could include the relocation of new investment to alternative jurisdictions, as Canada's relative cost competitiveness is eroded. If the exchange rate stays at current levels or higher on a longer-run basis, Canada could feasibly become a net im porter of automotive products within 5 years. On average, hourly labor productivity in Canada's manufacturing sector is approximately 15 percent lower than in U.S. industry. Given the current differential in nominal hourly compensation costs between the two countries (hourly total compensation costs in Canadian manufacturing average just over $25 Cdn., whereas total hourly compensation costs in U.S. manufacturing are about $21.50 U.S.), this creates a nominal unit labor cost disadvantage (measured in national currencies) that must be offset by the exchange rate between the two currencies. When the Canadian dollar trades at approximately 72 cents U.S., average manufacturing unit labor costs in the two countries are equalized. If the dollar is above that level, therefore, Canadian manufacturing (on average) faces a unit cost disadvantage that will spark the long-run outward migration of investment and employment (the opposite of what occurred in the late 1990s when the Canadian dollar traded for less than 72 cents U.S.). The Rising Canadian Dollar and its Impact on the Canadian Auto Industry, Testimony of Jim Stanford Economist, Canadian Auto Workers Before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senate of Canada, October 8, 2003 http://www.caw.ca/visual&printlibrary/speeches&briefs/briefs/senatetestimonyonthedollar.pdf Is Canada now at risk of catching the Dutch disease What is the evidence When it gains ground against the U.S. dollar, for example, Canadian exporters lose ground because their products become more expensive for U.S. buyers. It's simply harder to compete. Since 2002, Statistics Canada says 189,000 manufacturing jobs have disappeared in Canada. The agency places the blame squarely on the soaring loonie. But some economists say the difficulties of adjusting to a higher loonie will help exporters in the long run, because they've had to take measures to improve efficiency. The days of relying on a cheap loonie to help them sell in the U.S. are long gone. Cheaper U.S. dollars also provide Canadian companies with an opportunity to invest in U.S.-made tools that make them more competitive. Much of the software and machinery Canadian companies