Adopting open standards will be essential to keeping smart city initiatives on track in the future, says Michael Dunaway of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The key, Dunaway told a recent conference, is to preserve interoperability so a city's infrastructure doesn't become obsolete as applications are added.

The world of consumer products is vast, and the hazards are many. It takes the work of numerous stakeholders to meet the challenge of making society's countless products safer.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has certified a small nuclear reactor design developed by NuScale Power Corp., making it the first of its kind to receive such certification. NuScale is to build a six-reactor, 462-megawatt demonstration SMR at Idaho National Laboratory that is expected to be operational in 2030.

Louisiana has updated its construction codes to conform to international best practices for energy efficiency, safety and other standards. Mark Joiner, executive director of the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council, said, "[I]f you are building a more resilient, more energy-efficient home, then your insurance rates are much lower."

The USDA has issued updates to the standards for labeling foods certified organic, in what the Organic Trade Association says is the most comprehensive revision since the standards were first enacted in 1990. The new rules include requiring certification for more links in the organic supply chain and increasing inspections and reporting requirements.

Chromatic 3D Materials' 3D-printed thermoset polyurethanes have been found to be in accordance with US anti-flammability standards for use in aircraft interiors, according to research from the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University in Kansas. The abrasion-resistant polyurethanes can be used in airplane parts such as ductwork, cargo liners and components used in stowage compartments.

A 21,500-square-foot mosque in Bur Dubai is in the planning stages, according to Dubai's Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, which recently unveiled details of the project. Officials expect the structure to be printed in roughly four months, with three workers operating a 3D robotic printer that will print roughly 21.5 square feet per hour.

The aviation industry is exploring an array of possibilities for making air travel more sustainable. Ongoing projects include making fuel from carbon dioxide in the air and developing methods for avoiding formation of contrails.

"What goal would you shoot for if you knew failure wasn't an option?" is a great question to ask yourself to get out of your comfort zone and tackle new -- if frightening -- challenges, writes Robyn McLeod, who outlines three steps, including thinking about the rewards and committing to take one step toward it. "[I]f you can see a series of small steps rather than the giant leap required to get to your end goal, anything is possible," McLeod writes.

As part of ASTM's 125th anniversary celebrations, the organization has announced eight winners of its "Standards Case Study Contest," launched in spring of 2022.