US infrastructure will be built with ‘American-made’ products, promises Biden

US president Joe Biden has announced stricter standards to increase the American-made content of materials used in federal construction projects.

Industry giants collaborate to create low-carbon concrete mixes

Holcim US, a sustainable building materials manufacturer, recently announced a partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), HIIT Contracting, and Baker Concrete Construction to create innovative, low-carbon concrete mixes, promissing 35 to 45 percent lesser CO2 emissions. The post Industry giants collaborate to create low-carbon concrete mixes appeared first on Construction Specifier.

LaGuardia Airport wraps up Terminal B sustainability-focused redevelopment

LaGuardia Airport, N.Y., recently completed the final steps of its redevelopment, which spanned almost six years. The transformation has achieved specific sustainability benchmarks including energy efficiency, water conservation, site selection, material selection, and waste reduction. The post LaGuardia Airport wraps up Terminal B sustainability-focused redevelopment appeared first on Construction Specifier.

L.A.’s arts & media school gets two new minimally designed, functional structures

 Loyola Marymount University’s Westchester campus’ new School of Film and Television facility, and an outdoor performance stage are both designed with rich materials supporting a minimalist aesthetic and prioritizing functionality to promote the broader learning purpose and connections. The post L.A.’s arts & media school gets two new minimally designed, functional structures appeared first on Construction Specifier.

$20B Intel Ohio project to utilize extensive quantities of steel and concrete

Phase 1 construction of the $20 billion Intel Ohio project, a total of 232,258 m2 (2.5 m sf) of Intel Corporation’s semiconductor manufacturing facilities, including 55,742 m2 (600,000 sf) of cleanrooms, in New Albany, Licking County, Ohio, will require as much steel as eight Eiffel Towers and as much concrete as the world’s tallest skyscrapers. The post $20B Intel Ohio project to utilize extensive quantities of steel and concrete appeared first on Construction Specifier.

Tom Scott - Is The World Running Out Of Helium, 25112019

There have been breathless news articles recently saying the world's running out. There are places in the world that are running out of helium; but there is still approximately 80 to 100 years' worth of known helium reserves in Wyoming USA. So there's still a lot of helium available and new helium sources being found.

Lei's Real Talk - The West’s costly China misconception (4): The Chinese Communist Party is a party

The CCP centennial is right around the corner. It’s time to look at the Chinese communist history and Deng Xiaoping’s prediction of its ending. The Chinese communist Party isn’t just a political party. Xi Jinping isn’t the Chinese leader just because he is the president of China. According to the CCP, it is bigger than China. Chinese officials revealed that 70% of foreign firms in China have CCP members and organizations.

Lei's Real Talk - The West’s costly China misconceptions (2): Don’t criticize China, Chinese people or the CCP

One major misconception the West has about China is confusing China and the Chinese people with the CCP or the Chinese Communist Party. The Chinese Communist Party does not equate to China or its people, nor does it represent them. In fact, the antagonistic relationship between the Chinese people and CCP has been ignored by the West. Understanding the Chinese mindset and psychology is imperative for the West’s China strategies.

Lei's Real Talk - The West's costly China misconceptions (1): When in China, do as the Chinese do

America’s misconceptions of China are costing its advantage in the US China competition. China is taking over due to US ignorance and misjudgment. Since China joined the WTO, US private and public sectors set their China strategies and policies based on these misconceptions. The West must understand that the prevailing, dominant way of doing business in China is the CCP's way, which is against the traditional Chinese culture.