Researchers in China have increased efficiencies across four key factors with a new steam generator for water purification. The generator is wood-based and uses
bacteria-produced nanomaterials and solar energy to generate evaporation that separates water from contaminants.

San Antonio water officials have approved a $167.7 million contract for SAK Construction to build a more than 5-mile sewer main on the West Side. The work is said to be the most complex and costly sewer pipeline project in the city's history but is considered necessary to prevent sewer overflows.

The Texas Department of Transportation will seek feedback this fall on a proposed expansion of Interstate 35 through Central Austin despite reduced traffic amid the pandemic. Some say rerouting and other multimodal possibilities should also be considered as alternatives.

An interdisciplinary team of engineers from four universities has developed a scalable sensory "skin" that can automatically detect, localize and quantify fatigue cracks in bridges. The technology, designed to imitate biological skin, features an array of soft sensors.

ASTM International's concrete and concrete aggregates committee is developing a proposed standard to assess the tensile performance of fiber-reinforced concrete through cylindrical specimens with double-punch loading. A double-punch test produces minimal variability and only requires simple compression testing equipment, says Shih-ho Chao, professor of civil engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington.

New York University's expansion in Greenwich Village at 181 Mercer Street is nearing the topping-out phase, with completion expected early in 2022. Along with more space for faculty, students and dining, the expansion will contain four basketball courts, a track, a six-lane swimming pool and squash courts.

Building owners in NYC are concerned about a law scheduled to take effect in 2024 that will require a reduction in carbon emissions and impose a hefty fine on those that fail to comply. Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration is just beginning studies into the ways buildings can meet the standards mandated by Local Law 97 of 2019, which is part of a plan to help the city reduce emissions 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050.

Maine residents should approve the transportation bond referendum on Tuesday to provide funds for infrastructure improvements across the state this year, writes state Department of Transportation Commissioner Bruce Van Note. If approved, the state would invest $105 million in transportation infrastructure that would go toward matching an estimated $275 million in federal and other funds.

Michigan can provide an example for other states by adding toll roads to address its poor interstate highway pavement conditions, writes the Reason Foundation's Baruch Feigenbaum. A bill recently passed in the state Senate calls for a feasibility study on tolled highways throughout the state.

The Padang-Sicincin section of the Padang-Pekanbaru toll road is expected to benefit the local economy when it is completed in December 2021, according to the Indonesian Public Works and Public Housing Ministry. Construction of The 18.9-mile Padang-Sicincin section, which began in February 2018, is about one-fifth complete.