Every year, some Industry Market Trends coverage rises to the top. Here’s your chance to catch up on (and discuss) the issues that have mattered most to our readers, from epic science projects and breakthrough materials to on-the-job satisfaction and talent management.

In case you missed them in our biweekly e-newsletters, below are IMT’s five most-read articles in 2011 and five others that you may have missed throughout the year.

READER FAVORITES

6 Amazing Science Projects Changing the World
The biggest innovations of our time will likely be those that help address humanity’s needs, rather than those that simply create the most profit. Good ideas come from doing things differently, exploring new territory and taking risks. As you will see from these six extreme projects, the spirit of ingenuity and innovation is alive and well.

Who are the Happiest Workers?
Many workers love their jobs despite (and sometimes because of) the challenges they face every day. Here are key characteristics shared by happy employees and the factors that influence worker satisfaction.

A Look at 5 Breakthrough Materials
Innovative materials can be found in nearly every aspect of modern life. Here are a handful of recent developments in materials science that could further change our daily lives and help shape our world.

Bridging the Talent Gap
Organizations are looking for increasingly specific skill sets and taking longer to fill job vacancies, yet the shifting job market requires a new way for employers to address how they fill positions.

7 Deadly Sins Supervisors Must Avoid
Every supervisor has his or her flaws, some more egregious than others. Here we look at a few of the most pervasive mistakes that bosses make, plus how to avoid them.

STAFF PICKS

What’s an Engineering Degree Worth?
While majoring in engineering may not be the most popular choice among today’s students, an engineering degree can lead to some of the top earnings nationwide.

Top Policies Affecting U.S. Entrepreneurs
Economic policies have a powerful influence on entrepreneurs. Here are some measures that can be modified or introduced to encourage the creation of new businesses.

Paying for Your Beard and other Bizarre Taxes
Tolls on beards, bagels and body modification – history is littered with bizarre taxes. Here we round up a few of the more questionable taxes from the past and present.

Can Detroit Benefit from Stricter Fuel Efficiency?
Stricter fuel-economy standards can actually bring economic benefits to the automotive industry, the Detroit Three in particular, a recent report concludes.

The Business Case for Workplace Diversity
No matter the industry, competitive advantage can be improved by harnessing diversity. As a result, organizations are discovering that effectively managing a diverse workforce makes good business sense

Image credit: CERN