Dated building codes stand in the way of an array of technological advances that could slash carbon emissions associated with concrete, writes Matthew Adams, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology. "To bridge the knowledge gap between industry and policymakers," education and accessible information on how new technologies work are needed.

Supply chain concerns have sparked a renewed interest in sustainable aviation fuels, which could be the key to aviation's future.

Hempcrete, hemp wood, hemp fiberboard and hemp bricks are gaining favor with those working on eco-friendly building projects. However, complex laws governing hemp, no standardized building codes or certifications for hemp, underdeveloped hemp processing infrastructure and a lack of awareness slow down widespread adoption.

The Parenteral Drug Association's updated technical report on identifying and classifying nonconformities in glass containers for pharmaceutical products suggests best practices and an approach to a quality decision-making process. The report's quality criteria are intended as guidance for container manufacturers and inspecting incoming containers at pharmaceutical companies and complement current guidelines, reference materials and standards.

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a gel that enables metallic structures to be 3D printed at room temperature without the need for additional sintering. The new material could expand the applications for 3D metal printing, allowing for more complex designs and mass production of parts.

Adding hormones to zinnia flower cells allows for 3D printing of custom wood shapes, with different combinations affecting stiffness, density and strength, according to MIT researchers who published a study on the process last year. The process points to future, affordable lab-created woods, such as ebony and mahogany, that would eliminate problems inherent to natural wood's defects, lead author Ashley Beckwith explains.

A 3D concrete printing project launched by the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Centre County, Pa., and X-Hab 3D stands to benefit from a $30,000 grant awarded by the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund. The money will go towards the use of 3D-printed wall components for a single-family home in the county area, Habitat says.

Eco Material Technologies and builder Hive 3D showed off their first 3D-printed homes in Round Top, Texas, with the 400- to 900-square feet homes made with a mortar-like ink using Eco Material's PozzoCEM Vite, a full portland cement replacement binder. Hive 3D developed a rapid placement process with two- to three-minute set times, allowing for efficient construction of wall layers that the firm's CEO said can provide "a model for affordable and eco-friendly housing throughout the country."

Nadine, a social robot with conversational skills powered by AI, has the potential to play a vital role in caring for the sick and elderly, according to inventor, Nadia Magnenat Thalmann. Thalmann, a robot expert from the University of Geneva, believes robots like Nadine can be effective caregivers with 24/7 availability and alleviate a global shortage of nurses and caregivers, particularly in care homes.

Changing careers effectively requires a multistep process that starts with frank self-assessment, writes Andrew Fennell of StandOut CV. The final part of Fennell's five-step process involves setting goals, such as achieving a certification or promotion by a certain date.

A new ASTM International subcommittee will focus on test and performance standards for legged robots. The subcommittee (F45.06) is under the jurisdiction of ASTM's robotics, automation, and autonomous systems committee (F45).