Tag: 3BL

By The Black & Veatch Insights Group

Imagine unmatched ability to visualize and interact with your data, enabling immediate and actionable insights into the functional and performance characteristics of an asset or system. This is the promise of a digital twin. But what constitutes a twin, really? Whether you are beginning your journey or looking to level-up the solution you already have, there are some essential considerations. By unlocking the full potential of your data, using game-changing technology solutions, you can revolutionize the way you manage your facility and assets.

Not All Twins Are Identical

A digital twin is commonly described as a virtual system, or a digital counterpart, of a physical asset, system or process. In the complex world of water and wastewater management, a digital twin can offer valuable insight into the current state of operations and even begin to predict possible future state and outcomes. Effective implementation of a digital twin can lead to CapEx and OpEx reductions as well as increase your ability to adapt and respond to change more efficiently. As the volume and demand of data grows at an increasingly rapid pace, digital twins can present a compelling story for your data like never before.

With the emergence of digital twins, we expect to see positive disruption in the way we interact with digital content, gain valuable insights, facilitate integrations of data and systems, and unlock new possibilities for data exploration and presentation – all while reducing technology burden on already stressed resources.

Because of the diversity in use cases for digital twins in today’s environment, asking 10 people what digital twins do might elicit 10 different responses. Consequently, Black & Veatch has created a framework for classifying the purpose of digital twins and the modelling characteristics required to support specific digital capabilities. The three categories within our framework include spatial, computational and analytical. Digital twin solutions use real-world conditions defined by models and synergies between these models to better understand performance and resiliency over time.

A spatial twin provides a visually interactive experience enhancing data with spatial context leveraging 2D or 3D data from building information modeling (BIM) and/or geospatial data to enhance insights. Use cases include the simplification of physical asset/system location and facility management.An analytical twin provides a visually interactive experience with business intelligence to aggregate and analyze data to reveal insights. Use cases include asset and system performance optimization, risk management and financial management.A computational twin leverages asset and process simulation capabilities to assist with decisions and predictions of asset and process outcomes.

So, how do you know if you have a twin? The following recipe can be helpful when trying to determine where the line of digital twins might be:

You have a model. This model can be a spatial model, computational model or an analytical model.You manage a continuously evolving set of data or events.You have a means of dynamically updating your model in real-time or near real-time.Your twin provides meaningful insights, recommendations or predictions to aid in making decisions.And your solution simplifies data accessibility for you and your team.

The type of digital twin you require relies on the problem you are trying to solve. Assessing where to start a digital twin effort can be overwhelming, leaving you unsure where to begin. “Twinning for a purpose” is a phrase we often use; focusing on this will help identify the specific digital capabilities you seek, and which technology solution or partner can deliver the desired results. The following graph illustrates in simple concepts where a specific type of twin might provide the largest return in value.

While substantial benefits can be gained using digital twins during the operating life of an asset, this does not preclude the use of digital twins during other stages of an asset’s lifecycle. In design and construction for example, you can gain better insights into coordination, progress and quality while improving communication. Twins also simplify access to complex and constantly evolving information like asset data and equipment reports. By using digital twins, teams can improve data management and data accessibility. This also enables the delivery of a more intelligent and connected handover product, facilitating day-one maintenance needs more effectively.

Unlocking Value

Digital twin solutions come in many forms, from business intelligence to dynamic simulation platforms, from commercial solutions to customer applications. The decision of which solution to deploy depends on what needs to be done and the value you are trying to unlock.

Improved collaborationImproved financial decision makingAccelerated risk assessmentPredictive maintenanceEnhanced/optimized operationsLower engineering costsDesign and construction certaintyEffective use of resourcesStaff efficiency

Black & Veatch has expertise in the following areas to help you gain value from digital twins.

Digital advisory services for digital transformation planningModelling expertise across spatial, analytical and computational domainsOptimization and modernization services

Getting Started on and Accelerating Your Journey

The future of digital twins in the water sector is becoming clearer as we deliver practical solutions with purpose-built digital twins. But as innovation continues to accelerate, it is certain that capabilities across various twin categories will converge, becoming more integrated, more capable and easier to use and implement. Waiting for change to slow will likely leave you waiting indefinitely. Meanwhile, factors such as travel restrictions and remote teams, climate change, aging workforce, sustainability goals, system resiliency, and maximizing performance and asset/system longevity increasingly stress legacy processes and technology used for planning and decision support. Addressing these challenges with new technology now has the capability to help move the needle and gain tangible value.

From initial design through ongoing operations and maintenance, the value of digital twins is undeniable. Whatever your individual challenges and goals, whether you are starting on your path or looking to level up your system, a digital twin can be the key to unlock the full potential of your data. So, if you’re not already using digital twins, what’s stopping you? Begin your journey today, or level-up your current solution and unlock the full potential of your data.

By The Black & Veatch Insights Group

Imagine unmatched ability to visualize and interact with your data, enabling immediate and actionable insights into the functional and performance characteristics of an asset or system. This is the promise of a digital twin. But what constitutes a twin, really? Whether you are beginning your journey or looking to level-up the solution you already have, there are some essential considerations. By unlocking the full potential of your data, using game-changing technology solutions, you can revolutionize the way you manage your facility and assets.

Not All Twins Are Identical

A digital twin is commonly described as a virtual system, or a digital counterpart, of a physical asset, system or process. In the complex world of water and wastewater management, a digital twin can offer valuable insight into the current state of operations and even begin to predict possible future state and outcomes. Effective implementation of a digital twin can lead to CapEx and OpEx reductions as well as increase your ability to adapt and respond to change more efficiently. As the volume and demand of data grows at an increasingly rapid pace, digital twins can present a compelling story for your data like never before.

With the emergence of digital twins, we expect to see positive disruption in the way we interact with digital content, gain valuable insights, facilitate integrations of data and systems, and unlock new possibilities for data exploration and presentation – all while reducing technology burden on already stressed resources.

Because of the diversity in use cases for digital twins in today’s environment, asking 10 people what digital twins do might elicit 10 different responses. Consequently, Black & Veatch has created a framework for classifying the purpose of digital twins and the modelling characteristics required to support specific digital capabilities. The three categories within our framework include spatial, computational and analytical. Digital twin solutions use real-world conditions defined by models and synergies between these models to better understand performance and resiliency over time.

A spatial twin provides a visually interactive experience enhancing data with spatial context leveraging 2D or 3D data from building information modeling (BIM) and/or geospatial data to enhance insights. Use cases include the simplification of physical asset/system location and facility management.An analytical twin provides a visually interactive experience with business intelligence to aggregate and analyze data to reveal insights. Use cases include asset and system performance optimization, risk management and financial management.A computational twin leverages asset and process simulation capabilities to assist with decisions and predictions of asset and process outcomes.

So, how do you know if you have a twin? The following recipe can be helpful when trying to determine where the line of digital twins might be:

You have a model. This model can be a spatial model, computational model or an analytical model.You manage a continuously evolving set of data or events.You have a means of dynamically updating your model in real-time or near real-time.Your twin provides meaningful insights, recommendations or predictions to aid in making decisions.And your solution simplifies data accessibility for you and your team.

The type of digital twin you require relies on the problem you are trying to solve. Assessing where to start a digital twin effort can be overwhelming, leaving you unsure where to begin. “Twinning for a purpose” is a phrase we often use; focusing on this will help identify the specific digital capabilities you seek, and which technology solution or partner can deliver the desired results. The following graph illustrates in simple concepts where a specific type of twin might provide the largest return in value.

While substantial benefits can be gained using digital twins during the operating life of an asset, this does not preclude the use of digital twins during other stages of an asset’s lifecycle. In design and construction for example, you can gain better insights into coordination, progress and quality while improving communication. Twins also simplify access to complex and constantly evolving information like asset data and equipment reports. By using digital twins, teams can improve data management and data accessibility. This also enables the delivery of a more intelligent and connected handover product, facilitating day-one maintenance needs more effectively.

Unlocking Value

Digital twin solutions come in many forms, from business intelligence to dynamic simulation platforms, from commercial solutions to customer applications. The decision of which solution to deploy depends on what needs to be done and the value you are trying to unlock.

Improved collaborationImproved financial decision makingAccelerated risk assessmentPredictive maintenanceEnhanced/optimized operationsLower engineering costsDesign and construction certaintyEffective use of resourcesStaff efficiency

Black & Veatch has expertise in the following areas to help you gain value from digital twins.

Digital advisory services for digital transformation planningModelling expertise across spatial, analytical and computational domainsOptimization and modernization services

Getting Started on and Accelerating Your Journey

The future of digital twins in the water sector is becoming clearer as we deliver practical solutions with purpose-built digital twins. But as innovation continues to accelerate, it is certain that capabilities across various twin categories will converge, becoming more integrated, more capable and easier to use and implement. Waiting for change to slow will likely leave you waiting indefinitely. Meanwhile, factors such as travel restrictions and remote teams, climate change, aging workforce, sustainability goals, system resiliency, and maximizing performance and asset/system longevity increasingly stress legacy processes and technology used for planning and decision support. Addressing these challenges with new technology now has the capability to help move the needle and gain tangible value.

From initial design through ongoing operations and maintenance, the value of digital twins is undeniable. Whatever your individual challenges and goals, whether you are starting on your path or looking to level up your system, a digital twin can be the key to unlock the full potential of your data. So, if you’re not already using digital twins, what’s stopping you? Begin your journey today, or level-up your current solution and unlock the full potential of your data.

As originally published by GoDaddy’s Venture Forward Research Initiative

In February of 2024, nearly 100 virtual attendees joined the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, Wells Fargo Foundation and GoDaddy Venture Forward, a research initiative launched in 2018 that quantifies the impact 20+ million online microbusinesses have on their local economies, to discuss fresh data on women-led entrepreneurship.

In this interactive workshop, the panel aimed to shine a light on the experiences and success factors for women business owners, including speed to cash flow break-even and access to capital. The goal was for participants to leave with a deeper understanding and concrete ideas to support women business owners and accelerate their success.

For years, Venture Forward has noticed an increase in women-owned businesses, which are being created at a faster rate than those launched by men.

What hasn’t evolved however is the ease of access to capital. Venture Forward research shows that access to capital is among the top three challenges microbusiness owners encounter. And ease of accessing capital does not change with experience either. Both new microbusiness owners and experienced microbusiness owners noted facing similar challenges in accessing capital.

Watch and listen to a recording of the full event here. Discussion points included:

New research about women business owners.Real-life applications on the data findings.Dialogue around how data can help shape strategy in support of women business owners.

Entrepreneurship is powerful in its ability to elevate communities economically and to make opportunities more inclusive, and this panel was a chance to come together with two great organizations in support of the women embarking on their entrepreneurship journeys.

About GoDaddy Venture Forward

GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research initiative analyzes more than 20 million online businesses with a digital presence (measured by a unique domain and an active website). Most of these businesses employ fewer than ten people, categorizing each as a microbusiness. While these microbusinesses may be small, their impact on economies is outsized even though they are often too informal or too new to show up in traditional government statistics. 

Since 2018, Venture Forward surveyed more than 36,000 small business owners with a digital presence, making it the source for microbusiness data and insights.

As originally published by GoDaddy’s Venture Forward Research Initiative

In February of 2024, nearly 100 virtual attendees joined the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, Wells Fargo Foundation and GoDaddy Venture Forward, a research initiative launched in 2018 that quantifies the impact 20+ million online microbusinesses have on their local economies, to discuss fresh data on women-led entrepreneurship.

In this interactive workshop, the panel aimed to shine a light on the experiences and success factors for women business owners, including speed to cash flow break-even and access to capital. The goal was for participants to leave with a deeper understanding and concrete ideas to support women business owners and accelerate their success.

For years, Venture Forward has noticed an increase in women-owned businesses, which are being created at a faster rate than those launched by men.

What hasn’t evolved however is the ease of access to capital. Venture Forward research shows that access to capital is among the top three challenges microbusiness owners encounter. And ease of accessing capital does not change with experience either. Both new microbusiness owners and experienced microbusiness owners noted facing similar challenges in accessing capital.

Watch and listen to a recording of the full event here. Discussion points included:

New research about women business owners.Real-life applications on the data findings.Dialogue around how data can help shape strategy in support of women business owners.

Entrepreneurship is powerful in its ability to elevate communities economically and to make opportunities more inclusive, and this panel was a chance to come together with two great organizations in support of the women embarking on their entrepreneurship journeys.

About GoDaddy Venture Forward

GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research initiative analyzes more than 20 million online businesses with a digital presence (measured by a unique domain and an active website). Most of these businesses employ fewer than ten people, categorizing each as a microbusiness. While these microbusinesses may be small, their impact on economies is outsized even though they are often too informal or too new to show up in traditional government statistics. 

Since 2018, Venture Forward surveyed more than 36,000 small business owners with a digital presence, making it the source for microbusiness data and insights.

The Covid-19 pandemic heightened existing pressure points in nearly every sector and industry. The pandemic exacerbated the already crisis-level burnout that healthcare workers were struggling with. Hospital networks are struggling to keep pace with more patients requiring care from a shrinking healthcare professional workforce. Inflation, increased doctor-patient ratios, and a shrinking healthcare talent pool have stretched the medical industry to its breaking point.

Even before the pandemic, hospital networks across the globe were investigating ways that digital healthcare technologies could improve access to healthcare, improve efficiency, and keep healthcare costs low. During the pandemic, the adoption of digital technologies accelerated and contributed to the resilience of healthcare systems during the challenges presented by the pandemic.

Digital health technologies that leverage AI contribute to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of hospital systems in meaningful ways, including cost reductions, improved access to healthcare, and resource optimization.

AI-enabled clinical decision-making support for healthcare workers

Due to the healthcare talent shortages, practicing clinicians see more patients than ever before and must balance efficiency with quality of care. Because of their automation capabilities and abilities to learn from large volumes of patient data and medical research, AI-enabled healthcare technologies are playing an increasingly large role in improving physical decision making when it comes to diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care.

Equally– if not more– importantly, are the benefits to clinicians. AI-powered clinical decision support can analyze patient data, medical literature, and the most recent best practices to provide physicians with evidence-based recommendations to diagnose, treat, and manage care for their growing number of patients. This allows clinicians to make better informed and far more personalized decisions regarding treatment planning and medication selection for patients. AI can also enable real-time alert automation to notify clinicians of critical findings, flag potential medication errors, and highlight missed opportunities for preventative care.

These digital healthcare technologies can make a meaningful impact on morale and job satisfaction for medical workers. They help healthcare workers make well-informed decisions while also reducing cognitive burden in physicians, improve the practitioners’ ability to see and treat more patients without sacrificing quality of care, and ensure better patient outcomes.

AI applications for healthcare networks

In healthcare, the delivery of timely care and treatment is very literally a life and death issue. Healthcare supply chains are intricate, massive machines comprised of various mechanisms that orchestrate the delivery of services needed to ensure patient care. These supply chains are far more complicated than others because they include people and are significantly impacted by the needs of individual patients. AI-supported technologies are improving the quality of care and efficiency of medical resources.

AI applications for hospital networks can connect the different clinics, labs, and diagnostics to create a holistic view of the entire network, thus enabling improved coordination and communication between various channels. It can then perform predictive analysis of historical appointment data, demographics, and clinic capacities to forecast appointment demands with far greater accuracy. In turn, hospital managers can optimize resources and scheduling, resulting in shorter patient wait times. AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants are also helping hospital networks to run more smoothly by automating appointment scheduling, prescription refills, and billing inquiries. By reducing administrative burdens for healthcare staff, AI frees up time for healthcare workers to focus on patient care and clinical tasks.

AI can perform routine, repetitive operational tasks and improve the accuracy and speed of diagnosing conditions like cancer much faster than humans. By reducing administrative burdens for healthcare staff, AI frees up time for healthcare workers to focus on patient care and clinical tasks while also making hospitals more cost-effective.

Telemedicine and remote monitoring

AI-enabled telehealth and remote monitoring capabilities increase access to healthcare, improve communication between healthcare providers, and improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of quality patient care. Artificial intelligence enables hospitals to share data and collaborate effectively on cases while preserving patient privacy. This facilitates more confidence in virtual consultations and enables more comprehensive care by allowing multi-disciplinary healthcare teams to coordinate patient care from different locations.

Rural patients often travel long distances for medical appointments and diagnostics and will do so out of necessity. However, once they have resolved their acute medical issues, these patients may not return for follow-up visits. The proliferation of wearable health monitoring devices enables physicians to monitor patients and make real-time, data-driven medical decisions without requiring the patient to be on-site.

AI and telemedicine are allowing practitioners to expand virtual care options throughout the treatment plan that can improve patient experience and their outcomes.

Barriers to adoption of AI in medicine

The benefits of AI-driven tools in healthcare are numerous, and their aid in building resilience is promising. However, there are many barriers to widespread adoption that device manufacturers and healthcare IT professionals must consider. Regulations, data privacy, interoperability, a lack of standardization, and resistance to change represent significant hurdles that must be considered.

Regulatory compliance: It is crucial that devices and software used in healthcare settings be fully compliant with the rigorous requirements that regulatory agencies set to protect the privacy of patient data. Ensuring compliance approval is a costly and time-intensive, but crucial, process.Data privacy: Medical data is highly sensitive and must be handled with the utmost care. AI systems used in medical settings must comply with strict data privacy regulations; ensuring this security adds layers of complexity to the development and testing of healthcare software and devices.Interoperability: Healthcare system infrastructure is complex. Interoperability issues make integrating AI systems into existing infrastructure challenging. Rigorous testing is required to ensure seamless integration with electronic health records, medical devices, and the plethora of other systems the hospital network relies on to ensure proper patient care.Standardization: AI is advancing more rapidly than the standardized protocols that evaluate it, resulting in complications for device and software testers. Without these established standards, it’s difficult to evaluate or benchmark the performance of different AI models accurately.Resistance to change: As with all industries, there is anxiety amongst practitioners about job displacement or changes in existing workflows. AI can be an invaluable tool for helping clinicians to deliver more personalized care and better outcomes, but first they must be educated and trained on how to use it effectively.

Building back a stronger, more resilient healthcare industry

The post-pandemic world is increasingly relying on AI and automation to optimize resources and streamline operations. The healthcare sector has seen an explosion in technology that can aid practitioners in combatting burnout and optimize resources and operations in hospital networks. Keysight helps medical device manufacturers and healthcare IT administrators to design, emulate, and test devices and systems that are secure, fully compliant, and will stand the test of time.

Learn more about Keysight’s healthcare solutions.

NEW YORK, April 2, 2024 /3BL/ – PNC Bank has invested $20 million in the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to expand the organization’s efforts to boost economic opportunity and growth in thousands of rural counties as well as across 38 metro areas in the United States.

PNC Bank’s funding includes both a 10-year, $10 million Equity Equivalent (EQ2) investment as well as a more flexible $10 million three-year term loan. EQ2 is an innovative debt tool that offers nonprofit community development financial institutions (CDFIs) like LISC the chance to raise capital with features that are similar to an equity investment.

“We continue to see that patient, flexible and risk tolerant EQ2 financing has become an increasingly important lever for community lenders to attract additional private capital into under-resourced communities,” said Rey Ocañas, managing director, PNC Community Development Banking. “With this 10-year commitment, PNC remains laser-focused on our efforts to strategically deploy low-cost capital into transformative initiatives that advance economic empowerment and prosperity where it’s needed the most.”

LISC is one of the country’s largest community development organizations, and it will use PNC’s capital to support a range of new and existing community investment efforts, such as small business programs for entrepreneurs without ready access to conventional financing—including those owned by women, people of color and veterans. PNC Bank and LISC have collaborated on a number of significant investments in recent years spanning retail, health, education, and job training centers, as well as quality affordable housing and services.

“With this capital, PNC has made a remarkable commitment to the well-being of families and communities, with a ripple effect that will support economic growth long into the future,” said Michael Pugh, LISC CEO. “This is also a major investment in the infrastructure of community development,” he added, “helping us support our local partners as they scale up proven strategies for social, economic and environmental impact.”

About PNC Bank

PNC Bank, N.A., is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.

About LISC

LISC is one of the country’s largest community development organizations, helping forge vibrant, resilient communities across America. We work with residents and partners to close systemic gaps in health, wealth and opportunity and advance racial equity so that people and places can thrive. Since our founding in 1979, LISC has invested $29.7 billion to create more than 489,000 affordable homes and apartments, develop 81.4 million square feet of retail, community and educational space and help tens of thousands of people find employment and improve their finances. For more, visit www.lisc.org.

# # #

Eastman

KINGSPORT, Tenn., April 1, 2024 /3BL/ – The Naia™ from Eastman team is present at this year’s Première Vision Paris, the fashion industry’s most anticipated annual event. The booth showcases the Naia™ Renew ES portfolio of innovative, more sustainable fibers with certified recycled content.* PV Paris is Feb. 6-8 at Paris Nord Villepinte, France.

PV Paris is committed to the future of sustainable fashion, bringing together global designers and cutting-edge, eco-focused offerings. Eastman features its latest sustainable textile innovation as well as its newly achieved Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification.

“We’re proud to showcase our fiber with the most sustainable content yet at the world’s top event for fashion,” said Carolina Sister Cohn, global marketing leader for Eastman’s textiles division. “First launched for a pilot project in collaboration with Patagonia in September 2022, Naia™ Renew ES is a game changer for the industry. It’s a solution that blends fashion and environmental responsibility. We can’t wait to share this new fiber with the world at Première Vision and inspire others to embrace sustainable design.”

Naia™ Renew ES is produced from 60% certified recycled content and 40% sustainable sourced wood pulp. It is an eco-conscious alternative to silk and other natural or man-made fibers, assuring elegant drape, silky soft hand and luxurious luster without compromising on sustainability, as the recently launched bridal collection in collaboration with Reformation shows. This sustainable yarn plays a pivotal role in combating waste pollution, reducing reliance on virgin materials and enabling a lower carbon footprint.

Eastman creates value from hard-to-recycle waste that would otherwise go into landfills. The increased recycled content in Naia™ Renew ES is possible through Eastman’s molecular recycling technology, which breaks waste down into its molecular building blocks. This process produces a fully traceable and biodegradable cellulosic fiber; TÜV Austria has certified that Naia™ Renew is biodegradable and compostable.

Naia™ Renew received GRS certification in December 2023. This certifies the fiber’s recycled content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices, and chemical restrictions. Earned after an independent third-party audit, GRS certification provides increased traceability, environmental principles, social requirements, chemical content and labeling.

“We’re honored to share our newly achieved GRS certification at Première Vision this year,” said Claudia de Witte, sustainability leader for Eastman textiles. “To make sustainable textiles available to all, we know we must build brand trustworthiness around the world. We can build those relationships with more customers and collaborators around the world, especially when we have credentials like GRS that support our sustainability story.”

Turkey is among the global markets where Naia™ continues to grow. To support that growth, Eastman is expanding its existing relationship with LEFA — a distribution company based in Istanbul with a history spanning over 25 years — as the new Naia™ distribution partner in Turkey.

“We are strengthening our position in Turkey; last year we participated in Sustainability Talks Istanbul, and as of April 1, 2024, Naia™ fibers distribution will be entrusted to LEFA,” said Ana Costa, commercial manager for Eastman Naia™. “This choice marks an evolution of our organization on the ground, as we will be able to reach our customers faster and more efficiently. We are excited to have LEFA on board, and soon our Turkish partners, who have been successfully served by Texpro as our agent in past years, will experience LEFA’s proven reputation for reliability and excellence in distribution and customer service.”

Naia™ from Eastman can be found at booth 6D77.

Naia™ trends to expect at PV Paris

The Naia™ collection at this year’s PV Paris will showcase ready-to-wear, casual wear, knitwear and sweaters aligning with the projected trends from Promostyl, a forecasting and consulting leader. The garments are inspired by industry trends named “Bioverse Magic”, “Turning Off” and “Quiet Luxury”. Bioverse Magic will be seen through Naia™ fiber blends that are iridescent, play with light and shine while maintaining beautiful drape, softness and comfort. Turning Off is inspired by nature, so Naia™ blends will be created in natural colors. Finally, the Naia™ booth will take on Quiet Luxury with simple, elegant styles.

*Naia™ Renew recycled content is achieved by allocation of recycled waste material using a GRS-certified mass balance process.

About Eastman

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2023 revenue of approximately $9.2 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

For contacts and information

Menabò Group, Naia™ press support: pressoffice@menabo.com

Originally published on Illumina News Center

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) provides amazing insights into health care, agriculture, food safety, and many other disciplines, making it increasingly essential for students to have access to this technology to enhance their career options. To make that happen, the Illumina Genomic Discoveries program and Biocom California’s Generation STEAM are partnering to bring NGS education to San Diego–area high schools.

“We developed a ‘Lab-in-a-Box’ program to empower teachers and expose students to our technology and then partnered with Biocom California to roll it out and potentially scale it,” says Vanessa Light, senior manager of Corporate Social Responsibility at Illumina. “We train teachers on an Illumina benchtop sequencer, and then they have the opportunity to bring the sequencer into their classrooms and put it in the hands of students.”

Lab-in-a-Box includes an iSeq 100 System and all the materials necessary to conduct powerful experiments, like those performed in biotech labs. The program also supports teacher development by sharing information about industry tools, trends, and careers.

“It’s important to give teachers access to these skills and resources,” says Mikayla Ortega, Generation STEAM’s program manager. “There’s a multiplier effect: If we impact one teacher, we can reach 40 or even 200 students. In turn, they start seeing themselves as scientists, engineers, and strategic thinkers.”

Genomic discoveries in action

Sixteen teachers in San Diego County are already incorporating Lab-in-a-Box into their curricula. One is Elizabeth Perkoski, a career technical education (CTE) biotechnology teacher at El Camino High School, a Title 1 school in Oceanside.

“The sequencer is fantastic, but the program touches on so many important skills,” says Perkoski, who teaches ninth graders. “The students learn foundational bench science techniques, like pipetting and PCR, which amplifies DNA segments. They learn how sequencing works and conduct bioinformatics on the back end. It’s a little bit of everything, and it gives them real-world experience.”

The sequencing experiment is built around a familiar scenario: food contamination. Its premise is that a salad made conference attendees sick, and students must identify the specific vegetable and pathogen causing the outbreak. The class is given several vegetables and must analyze their surfaces to find answers. (Spoiler alert: The tomatoes are infected with E. coli.)

“They get really excited because they’re familiar with that storyline,” Perkoski says. “They’ve heard about romaine lettuce being pulled off shelves, so it gives them a window into what’s going on behind the scenes.”

The STEAM pathway

Perkoski designed this biotech unit in 2019 as an alternative to traditional biology lessons. She still covers all the ninth-grade bio standards—ecology, evolution, cells, and DNA—but layers on biotech to give students a better feel for how the science is applied.

The unit is part of a two-class CTE certification. The second class, the capstone, will immerse students even more deeply in the biotech ecosystem, giving them opportunities to meet scientists, visit biotech campuses, and possibly apply for internships. Perkoski is working with Oceanside’s MiraCosta College to offer course credit.

“MiraCosta offers a bachelor’s degree in biomanufacturing, and there’s an intro course they want me to design the capstone around,” Perkoski says. “I’d also like to have formal labs and introduce students to possible careers in research. They’ll learn about protein purification and standard techniques, like ELISA [enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay], and even keep lab notebooks.”

Seeing the students grow is a major highlight for her. On day one, many of them can’t even define “biotechnology.” But as the class progresses, they develop a better appreciation for both the science and the industry. In some cases, individuals gravitate to specific parts of the sequencing workflow—kids with computer skills often home in on bioinformatics. Even more importantly, the unit helps students envision a career in STEAM.

“A lot of our students, especially girls, come in thinking they’re bad at science,” Perkoski says. “It’s just already planted in their minds. But by the end of the year, they feel a lot more confident and excited about it, and that’s great to see.”

Perkoski wants her students to understand that there’s more to life sciences than lab work. The industry needs trainers, salespeople, writers, designers, engineers, and other professionals. The best part is that all this exists in their backyards, since San Diego has a concentration of biomedical companies. But on an even deeper level, she wants them to walk away knowing that science is cool.

“My goal is to get them excited about science,” she says. “I tell them, ‘If you leave this class and don’t remember anything, that’s fine. But if you leave this class excited about science and wanting to figure stuff out, that’s my goal. I win.’”

Illumina’s long-term mission relies on nurturing and equipping the emerging life sciences workforce. By supporting educators like Elizabeth Perkoski to become genomics advocates, we nurture the next generation and give them new career options. Learn how we are increasing equitable access to STEAM and genomic education here.

For a printable PDF of this article, click here. 
To listen to this article read aloud, click here.

Originally published in Qualcomm’s 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report

We work to be a positive force in protecting the environment by continually looking for ways to develop our ESG programs. We take actions that conserve water, lower emissions, minimize energy consumption and strive to reduce the impact of our waste disposal practices. We believe that environmental sustainability is extremely important, with significant social and economic benefits that require collective action and leadership from our Company and other corporate citizens. 

Our operations are designed to provide and maintain safe, healthy and productive working conditions that meet relevant and applicable requirements. We strive to conserve natural resources and improve our resilience and our environmental, health and safety performance.

2025 Goal
Reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions 30 percent from a 2014  base year.18

2030 Goals
(SBTi Validated) Reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions 50 percent from a 2020  base year.18 

Reduce absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions 25 percent from a 2020 base year.18

2040 Goal
(SBTi Validated) Reach net-zero global GHG emissions across our value chain.

Sustainability Goals

The best breakthroughs are sustainable.

Addressing the Climate Challenge

We are committed to achieving net-zero GHG emissions across our value chain by 2040. As of 2023, our corporate GHG reduction targets have been approved by the SBTi. The steps we have taken reflect our belief in the urgency of action to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C and our commitment to emission cuts aligned with the latest climate science. We act in a manner consistent with the notion that climate change is a serious environmental, social and economic issue that calls for immediate and concerted action among all sectors of society. 

In line with our commitments, in 2023, we conducted our second CSA, including a quantitative analysis of climate-related physical risks, a quantitative analysis of climate-related transition risks and opportunities and a qualitative analysis of climate-related transition risks and opportunities. These analyses were used to estimate potential financial impacts on our Company, our key suppliers and customers and our value chain. The timeframes considered included the short term (presentday), medium term (2030) and long term (2040). We identified several potential impacts and opportunities to monitor over the time periods assessed. For more information, please see  our TCFD Index.

Our strategy to achieve our environmental commitments includes several key actions: 

Utilizing renewable energy in our top operational footprint regions via long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs). Limiting emissions in our operations through the replacement of high global warming potential gases in our manufacturing processes, to the extent feasible. Reducing natural gas usage at our San Diego headquarters in California. Working with key suppliers to develop collaborative initiatives to facilitate emissions reductions. 

We have continued our progress on this strategy over the last year, including the additional procurement of renewable energy. In 2023 we achieved our 2025 GHG emissions goal- two years ahead of schedule. We’ve reduced our Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by over 35 percent compared to  a 2014 baseline.

We are also continuing our efforts that are helping us advance towards our 2040 net-zero target. For Scope 3, we continue to refine our methodology to move away from spend-based calculations, and we are developing a strategy to engage a larger portion of our supply chain to gather more accurate and actionable data. 

We have also continued our implementation of internal carbon pricing across our three manufacturing facilities. This carbon price creates an assumed cost per ton of carbon emissions with an annual rate increase per year, with the objective of changing our internal behavior toward low carbon innovation. Our efforts have earned us several recognitions, such as being included in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership Top 30 Tech & Telecom ranking, as well as achieving Climate Registered™ Platinum status from The Climate Registry for setting GHG reduction goals, obtaining verification of our GHG emissions and reporting on our annual progress.

18 Global

Learn more about how Qualcomm is driving innovation, societal advancement and sustainability in the 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

Oscar Perez III, a U.S. Army veteran medically discharged after being injured while deployed in the Middle East, said his journey to homeownership came with both joy and disbelief.

“When I was talking to Len (McMorrow, a senior vice president at U.S. Bank) on video chat, I tried to tell myself that I don’t get emotional,” Perez said. “When he told us we were being chosen, I immediately looked at my wife to see what she would do. To see her cry and to see Len cry – because I’m pretty sure he was crying because I started crying – it was just a whirlwind of emotion.”

A whirlwind that ended with Perez, his wife, Kristi, and their two sons living in a new home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, after being selected to be the recipient of a new home as part of the HOME program at U.S Bank and Operation Homefront’s Permanent Home for Veterans program.

“Together, we help veterans and their families realize the American dream of homeownership,” said Susan Ziesman, vice president of integrated public relations at Operation Homefront. “Homeownership is so important because it helps a family establish roots in a community and gives them the stability they need to plan for the future. Many military families struggle with transitioning from military life to civilian life, so having a home sets them up for success in the communities they have worked so hard to protect.”

The Perez family will receive financial counseling and homeowner education while living in their newly built home for about two years. During that time, they’ll be able to work to build their savings. Once they successfully complete the program, they’ll receive the deed to the home, mortgage-free.

“For this family, this brand-new home is a much-needed resource that will enable them to live their lives fully, without having to worry about a mortgage payment,” said Fred Bolstad, executive vice president and head of retail lending at U.S. Bank. “We are proud to do that with Operation Homefront, who shares our goal of honoring service members and their families for their dedication and personal sacrifice.”

The Perez family’s home was the 26th home donation since 2013 for U.S. Bank.

“This is part of the foundation of what we do at U.S. Bank to assist veterans, first-time homebuyers and people who really want to achieve that dream of homeownership,” said “Builder” Tony Cardoza, the national builder lead for the East Region at U.S. Bank, who helps connect veterans with new homes through community partnerships. “We can help people in every community that we are in by the way of different programs we have.”

For the Perez family, the dream of homeownership is a reality, with their future anchored in the new home that they now call their own.

“I don’t know how I can thank Operation Homefront and U.S. Bank,” Perez said. “I feel like it’s a duty now for me to do something. … I’m not sure there’s anything I could do other than giving back to somebody else.”

A video featuring Perez and his home is available below.

U.S. Bank supports the unique financial needs of members of the military, from military checking to VA loans. Learn more at the Military Banking page.