Author: sHq_LoGiNz

ST. PAUL, Minn. and CHARLOTTE, N.C., October 16, 2025 /3BL/ —3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) named Kevin Tang, an 8^th grader at Cedarlane Academy of the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District in Hacienda Heights, California, as the winner of the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation’s premier middle school science competition. Kevin distinguished himself with a novel fall detection device that can accelerate emergency responses to falls among older adults at home, even in the dark. As the grand prize winner, he received a $25,000 cash prize and the prestigious title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.”

Kevin spent the last four months competing against nine other finalists and ultimately secured himself the win during final Challenge events at 3M global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Oct. 13 and 14. The finalists had to navigate a series of scientific tasks and were evaluated on their communication and presentation skills, ingenuity, innovative thinking, application of STEM principles, demonstration of passion and research, and the ability to inspire others.

Kevin’s custom in-home device uses video analysis and smart alerts to protect older adults in their homes. It can recognize falls with high accuracy, even at night. Research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that falls are the leading cause of injury among 1 in 4 older adults annually, or over 14 million people. Kevin created an algorithm that analyzes video input to identify falls and triggers alerts to loved ones via a corresponding smart phone application. His new solution advances current offerings on the market through the ability to capture imagery at night and provide around-the-clock monitoring. The device can also detect irregular movements while the individual is walking, which could be a symptom of a stroke.

“By tapping into their curiosity and reimagining what’s possible, these impressive finalists have developed solutions to real-world problems,” said Torie Clarke, 3M’s executive vice president and chief public affairs officer. “Year after year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge demonstrates the power of science to create positive impact and emphasizes that the next great innovation can come from anywhere. We are so proud of this year’s competitors and can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.”

Each 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalist is paired with a 3M scientist who mentors and works with them one-on-one over the summer to transform their ideas from concept to prototype. This year’s winner was paired with Dr. Mark Gilbertson, research specialist, robotics and AI, Advanced Materials and Transportation.

“Kevin’s journey into the world of falls and strokes was sparked by personal experiences, and it’s inspiring to see how he’s using that to make a difference,” said Dr. Gilbertson. “His project is a powerful reminder of how science can be both personal and universal. I hope he continues diving deeper into robotics and AI – his potential in these fields is immense.”

The second and third place winners from the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge also receive special recognition, including a $1,000 prize. This year’s runners-up are:

• Amaira Srivastava from Gilbert, AZ, a 9^th grader at Arizona College Prep High School of the Chandler Unified School District
• Anirudh Rao from Lone Tree, CO, an 8^th grader at STEM School Highlands Ranch of the Douglas County School District

The remaining top finalists from the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge in alphabetical order by last name, are:

• Shrey Arora from Collierville, TN, a 9^th grader at Collierville High School of Collierville Schools
• Divyam Desai from Frisco, TX, an 8^th grader at Lamar and Norma Hunt Middle School of the Frisco Independent School District
• Kiyara Gunawardena from Temecula, CA, a 6^th grader at iShine Student Center of Springs Charter Schools
• Isha Marla from Portland, OR, a 9^th grader at Jesuit High School
• Reanna Bhuyan Patel from Princeton, NJ, a 9^th grader at Princeton Day School
• Sheyna Patel from Longwood, FL, a 9^th grader at Orlando Science High School of Orange County Public Schools
• Aniket Sarkar from Folsom, CA, an 8^th grader at Sacramento Country Day School

“We are incredibly proud to continue our longstanding collaboration with 3M. During the tenure of this powerful partnership, the nation’s best and brightest have created innovative solutions to the world’s most complex problems. Congratulations to Kevin and each of the finalists. Your fantastic work gives me great hope for the future,” said Amy Nakamoto, executive vice president of corporate partnerships and marketing at Discovery Education.

Now in its 18^th year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge continues to inspire and challenge middle school students to think creatively and apply the power of STEM to discover real-world solutions. Former America’s Top Young Scientists have given TED Talks, filed patents, founded nonprofits, and made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. These young innovators have also been named TIME Magazine’s Kid of the Year; featured in The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, and Business Insider; and appeared on national television programs such as Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and more. In addition, a 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network was formed in fall 2022 and includes more than 100 former challenge winners, finalists, and mentors, who take part in networking opportunities and more.

The award-winning competition supplements the 3M and Discovery Education program Young Scientist Lab, which provides no-cost dynamic digital resources for students, teachers, and families to explore, transform, and innovate the world around them. All the resources are also available on Discovery Education Experience, the essential companion for engaged PreK-12 classrooms.

To download images from the 2025 science competition, click here. To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet this year’s winners and finalists, visit youngscientistlab.com.

About 3M 
3M (NYSE: MMM) is focused on transforming industries around the world by applying science and creating innovative, customer-focused solutions. Our multi-disciplinary team is working to solve tough customer problems by leveraging diverse technology platforms, differentiated capabilities, global footprint, and operational excellence. Discover how 3M is shaping the future at 3M.com/news.

About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, PreK-12, digital solutions help educators engage all students and support higher academic achievement. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools that are effective, engaging, and easy to use, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Learn more at www.discoveryeducation.com. 

The Group announces a new investment for the installation of a 75,000 metric tons Valmet TAD paper machine, along with related converting lines.

This will strengthen Sofidel’s ability to supply first-quality products to customers.

Start-up is scheduled for Q2 2028.

PORCARI, Italy, October 16, 2025 /3BL/ – To meet the growing demand in the North American market, Sofidel, tissue paper group headquartered in Lucca (Italy) and one of the world’s leading manufacturers of paper for hygienic and household use – known especially in Italy and Europe for its Regina brand – today announces a new investment to further expand its production capacity in the United States.

The investment includes the installation of a Valmet TAD (Through-Air-Dried) paper machine with an annual production capacity of 75,000 metric tons, along with related converting lines – for an equivalent production capacity – for the manufacture of finished products.

The location for the new investment, intended to be within one of Sofidel’s existing facilities, has not yet been finalized. The company is currently engaging with various public authorities to finalize the project.

The start-up of the new machine is scheduled for Q2 2028.

“With this new, significant investment, we are putting down even stronger roots in the United States, improving our ability to meet customer demand and further enhancing our capacity to supply premium quality products through TAD technology” commented Luigi Lazzareschi, Sofidel CEO.

Overall, the Sofidel Group now operates 14 production sites across 11 US states – Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Illinois, Mississippi, Florida, Ohio, South Carolina, and North Carolina – and has a corporate office in Horsham, Pennsylvania. In just over 10 years, the Group has become the fourth-largest tissue producer in the North American market and one of the leaders in the Private Label sector.

^{Sofidel Group}

^{The Sofidel Group, headquartered in Porcari (Lucca, Italy), is one of the leading manufacturers of paper for hygienic and household use worldwide. Established in 1966, the Group is active in 13 countries, 12 in Europe and the United States (12 States), with approximately 9,500 employees and a production capacity of 1,983,000 metric tons per year. In 2024, the Group had Net Sales of 3.225 billion Euros. “Regina”, its most well-known brand, is present on almost all the reference markets. Other brands include: Sopalin, Le Trèfle, Hakle, Softis, Nalys, Cosynel, KittenSoft, Nicky and Papernet. Sofidel is committed to reaching Net-Zero carbon emissions by the end of 2050.}

^{www.sofidel.com}

Transportation profoundly influences every aspect of daily life in Georgia, from how we commute to work and school to how we access healthcare, food, and community resources. And when it is fossil-fueled, it’s the number one source of greenhouse gas emissions in our state. But for too many Georgians, especially those in rural and underserved areas, transportation can be a barrier instead of a bridge.

As the clean energy transition accelerates, one question looms large: how can we ensure that electric transportation—and all the benefits it brings—are accessible to everyone?

That’s where the Electric Black Futures Project comes in. This community-centered initiative, made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, aims to expand equitable access to e-mobility in Georgia. Recently, longtime climate justice advocate Eriqah Vincent sat down with Janet Miller, Electric Transportation Manager at the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE), to talk about how the project is engaging Black communities in Albany, Atlanta, and Savannah to shape the state’s clean transportation future.

Watch the video here.

To achieve net-zero carbon by 2050, Saint-Gobain North America must reach key milestones by 2030. In our latest episode of Journey to 2030, learn how building science helps us to design and construct buildings that are energy efficient, comfortable, durable, and have good indoor air quality. 

Rather than segment each aspect of construction, we are looking to take a cohesive, holistic approach. Studying the whole system is what can turn building into an exact science.

About Journey to 2030

With approximately 37% of CO₂ emissions coming from the built environment, we have a responsibility as the leader of light and sustainable construction to move towards net-zero carbon by 2050. But before we can get there, Saint-Gobain has milestones we’re trying to achieve by 2030. 

Join us on our Journey to 2030 and watch the entire video series on YouTube.

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group, celebrating its 360th anniversary in 2025, remains more committed than ever to its purpose “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€46.6 billion in sales in 2024
More than 161,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050

Whirlpool Corporation has been recognized as one of the Best Companies to Work For in Mexico and ranked #1 in the category of Best Companies to Work For Women.

This recognition highlights our dedication to building a workplace where every employee feels valued and empowered, which helps us achieve our purpose of Improving Life at Home for our communities.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2024, the company reported approximately $17 billion in annual sales – close to 90% of which were in the Americas – 44,000 employees, and 40 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

View original content here.

Originally published on Tork Newsroom

We’re thrilled to showcase our latest innovations, smart hygiene solutions, and industry expertise at this year’s ISSA Show. Stop by booth #5601 to discover how Tork helps businesses achieve better hygiene- and in turn, better business outcomes.

Innovations

• Tork PeakServe Automatic: Peak times deserve peak service.
• Constant Air Freshener: Banish restroom smells for good.
• Focus4 Sustainability: Easy access to holistic sustainability information.
• Tork Vision Cleaning: Real-time data makes maintenance easy and efficient.

Thought leadership

Is your public restroom turning people away?

Join us and Jen Ashman, November 12th at 3pm PST in the Business Solutions Theater Booth #117, for a powerful session exploring the business impact of a poor restroom experience.

Learn more here

Vote for Tork

Our innovation, Tork PeakServe^® Automatic, has been nominated for the 2025 ISSA Innovative Leaders Awards. Cast your vote in person in the Innovation Theater.

Learn more here

Sustainable restrooms use Tork

Tork helps you reach your goals with the Tork Focus4 Sustainability platform- designed to deliver holistic information, tools and training to make sustainability easier.

Learn more here

 

Authored by Baker Tilly’s Gideon Gradman, Michelle Isenhouer Hanlin, Shristhi Negi, Valerie Nubbe

Explore how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) reshapes IRA tax credit access and accelerates the timeline for action for your campus.

As higher education institutions across the country continue to grapple with aging infrastructure and sustainability commitments, the energy incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) have been a vital tool in making clean energy projects financially feasible. By reducing upfront costs for solar, battery storage, central utility plants and other clean energy technologies, the IRA has helped institutions improve infrastructure resiliency and advance sustainability goals while preserving capital. The IRA made sure these benefits were accessible to tax-exempt institutions through the direct pay provision of the law, allowing not-for-profits to receive the Investment Tax Credits and/or Production Tax Credits (ITC/PTC) as a refundable cash payment not previously available to tax-exempt organizations, a game changer for higher education.

What is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act?

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the sweeping tax reform and spending reconciliation bill known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law. While the legislation addresses a broad range of issues, it notably revises several energy tax incentives introduced under the IRA. As one of the most consequential amendments to the IRA, future credit claimants have been busy trying to understand how these statutory changes interact with existing guidance.

The OBBBA preserves the direct pay option, ensuring that colleges and universities can still access clean energy incentives directly. However, it also accelerates the phase-out of certain tax credit funding provisions for clean energy power generation projects, narrowing the window for higher education institutions to benefit. Institutions can still take advantage of funding opportunities for projects like solar energy and geothermal energy installations, but timing is critical. Those institutions with projects underway should move quickly, while others may need to identify new clean energy projects this year if they want to utilize their benefits.

Furthermore, the legislation narrows access to certain benefits by imposing more restrictive rules on involvement with foreign entities of concern, setting new qualification deadlines and gradually phasing out select provisions. Many clean energy incentives remain in place, but with more limited windows of opportunity and stricter compliance standards. As a result, the urgency for educational institutions to start is great than ever.

How does the OBBBA affect higher education energy projects?

Solar

• The Commercial Solar ITC under IRC Section 48E imposes a tighter construction window: schools must break ground by July 4, 2026, or bring systems online by Dec. 31, 2027, to secure funding. Fortunately, opportunities remain, but you need to get started to secure the solar tax credit funding.

Energy storage

• A bright spot for institutions is in energy storage, an area that remains favorably treated under the OBBBA. The full ITC is still available for standalone battery storage systems through 2033, giving institutions ample time to plan campus-scale installations with robust federal backing. Even as solar incentives phase out, pairing energy storage with leased or safe-harbored solar systems may help offset cost impacts and sustain long-term sustainability goals.

Fuel cells and linear generators

• Fuel cells, including linear generators offer a compelling opportunity under OBBBA as the incentives are built to last. Eligible fuel cell and linear generator systems that generate electricity now qualify for a base 30% ITC, offering a new option for distributed generation on campus with heat recovery where needed. Unlike solar and wind technologies facing early sunsets, fuel cells and linear generator projects remain federally supported if projects begin construction after Dec. 31, 2025, through the end of 2035.

Electric vehicles (EVs) and EV chargers 

• Colleges and universities considering alternative fuel vehicles to add to their fleet must move swiftly. Federal credits including the Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit (45W) and EV incentives (30D and 25E) expire after Sept. 30, 2025, while refueling infrastructure support under Section 30c ends by June 30, 2026.

Incentives in action: Our work on campuses

Baker Tilly has worked with numerous colleges and universities over the past few years, helping them take advantage of clean energy incentives for campus projects. Our energy and infrastructure team has helped these institutions understand their eligibility for clean energy tax credit funding and comply with myriad requirements needed to earn and keep these credits. This includes compliance with the prevailing wage and apprenticeship bonus credits (PW&A) requirements, domestic content bonus credit requirements and energy community bonus credit compliance requirements. Baker Tilly also helps guide institutions through the direct pay election process, allowing them to monetize tax credits as tax-exempt organizations. Our team also performs energy feasibility studies and cost segregation analyses to determine eligible property costs and optimize credit values. For example:

• Baker Tilly is engaged with a major private university in the Northeast to secure federal clean energy tax credits for over $1 billion in energy initiatives, including geothermal and solar projects. Their planned solar installation generates approximately 1.9 megawatt-hours annually, covering around 17% of a key campus building’s energy needs. Their campus-wide geothermal heating and cooling project will deliver ground-source thermal energy to meet more than half of the heating and cooling requirements for current and future buildings for a portion of the campus. These efforts support the university’s sustainability and climate goals while enhancing energy infrastructure and reducing emissions by over 15%.
• Baker Tilly is helping a private college in the Midwest to secure federal clean energy tax credits for a roughly $7 million thermal energy storage initiative. The project involves installing a thermal storage tank to shift electricity usage from daytime to nighttime, which helps reduce costs and lower demand charges by balancing energy consumption. Baker Tilly is supporting the college through the pre-construction phase by evaluating eligibility and ensuring compliance with tax credit requirements. The team will continue assisting through commissioning to help maximize and substantiate the credit, including adherence to PW&A standards for final tax filings.

Act now! What should your institution do next?

• Assess your energy project pipeline
• Identify capital projects that could qualify for OBBBA-related credits, grants or financing mechanisms
• Update your facilities and finance teams on funding opportunities
• Ensure that key internal teams are informed about the OBBBA provisions and prepared to act quickly as funding opportunities and compliance requirements emerge

Baker Tilly can help

At Baker Tilly, we work closely with higher education institutions to navigate aging infrastructure, sustainability commitments and the rising costs of energy and capital planning. Engage with Baker Tilly’s specialists for current insights on energy tax credits and clean energy policy. We’ll help you asses project effects, document key construction dates and secure existing IRA benefits to reshape your campus’s energy future before changes take hold. Connect with an IRA specialist today.