Last month, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE, www.energy.gov) announced that two Energy Innovation Hub teams would receive a total of $125 million ($62.5 million to each team) in funding over five years to “seed and accelerate next-generation technologies beyond…
Reducing carbon dioxide emissions has taken center stage in efforts to reduce concentrations of greenhouse gases in the environment. Much effort is going into limiting the use of fossil fuels through increased use of renewable energy sources, switching to alternate…
This summer is proving to be a hot one across much of the U.S. as heat waves grip many regions with little relief from nighttime cooling. If it seems like it has been getting hotter, there are data to support…
In 1851, the year that the first America’s Cup sailboat race was contested, the top speed for a wind-powered vessel was 10 knots. Over the next 100 years, top sailboat speeds barely budged, but by the mid-1970s, top sailing speed…
Plastic products have evolved to play a prominent role in our daily lives. They are generally durable and lightweight, making them ideal for a broad spectrum of applications, such as: improving efficiency of automobiles; extending the shelf-life of foods; providing…
There have been several recent announcements regarding regulatory changes that affect the chemical process industries (CPI). One of the latest is a set of final rules announced on April 9 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA; www.epa.gov) that significantly…
Last month, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC; www.sec.gov) finalized rules [1] that require registrants to disclose information about climate-related risks in their annual reports and registration statements. Recognizing that climate-related risks can affect a company’s business and financial…
Last month’s Super Bowl LVIII did not disappoint. Along with the exciting overtime finish, record-breaking field goals and more, once again advertisers showcased their special commercials created specifically for this annual championship sporting event. The commercials tend to generate almost…
It is an exciting time to be involved in science and technology. Advances across many scientific disciplines are being made at an ever increasing rate. Drivers such as the urgent push toward decarbonization, global competition, the need for medical advances…
Following a strong year for the chemical process industries (CPI) in 2022, 2023 saw modest growth, with global industrial output rising only 0.6% and chemical production growth at about 0.3% [ 1]. Numerous factors contributed to the lower demand for…