Sigmund Log, an official with an arm of the Directorate of Public Roads in Norway, has been a driving force in developing standards for the country's use of BIM in bridges since 2017. The country boasts the world's longest bridge designed entirely with 3D modeling, and in 2020 and 2021, one-third of the country's verified and approved bridge designs were model-based, Log's agency says.

Standards for the recycling of copper have steadily gained momentum in recent years. Now, a subcommittee is ready to publish a copper recycling standard that could be the first of its kind, with more on the way.

Oregon's oversight plans for hemp production have been approved by the USDA after aligning with requirements established in the 2018 Farm Bill. The state's agriculture department modified the program to meet new federal standards, such as requiring hemp growers to register with the USDA's Farm Service Agency.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration intends to publish a draft rule designed to curb methane emissions from pipelines by May and conduct thousands of inspections by the end of the year to comply with a 2020 order from Congress requiring the agency to step up its scrutiny of pipeline companies' inspections and maintenance plans. "Congress was very clear that we must not just reduce these emissions, but we must do all we can to minimize these emissions," PHMSA Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown said in late 2021.

Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation has licensed a 3D printing technique that will allow it to more efficiently produce complex components for advanced nuclear reactor designs using refractory materials. "This is the holy grail of additive, that you can do things faster, that are in geometries that were previously very difficult or impossible with conventional manufacturing methods," said USNC Executive Vice President Kurt Terrani.

The Quantum Titanium Cervical Plate, a 3D-printed anterior cervical plate developed by Watershed Idea Foundry and Nvision Biomedical Technologies, has been released.

Hyperion Robotics, based in Finland, has developed robotic 3D printers that extrude concrete made with local waste materials. "We want to offer a total package with the ready-made robot, the concrete formula and local support from a mechanic so that we don't have to travel the world to do repairs," said co-founder Ashish Mohite.

A living construction column consisting of fungi roots will yield a harvest of mushrooms. London-based design specialist Blast Studio 3D printed the column as a proof of concept using a variety of the mycelium for structural strength and mushroom yield.

Autonomous delivery startup Nuro has developed external air bags for its robotic delivery vehicles. The bags aim to protect pedestrians and will be included in the company's third-generation driverless vehicles, which will be produced in Nevada.

Acting as your own career coach can help you progress in the field, and this process starts with a heightened sense of self-awareness. Think about how you want to be perceived in different work scenarios, and ask yourself questions to gain insight.

Representatives of global standards organization ASTM International and the National Safety Council (NSC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) supporting advanced and emerging technology.