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TAG GROUP: Market Trends

Weekly Poll (171)

Researchers from Flinders University transformed a blue-green microalgae into ultrathin bioactive coatings using plasma jet technology. Do you believe coatings should rely more heavily on bio-based formulas?

A team of researchers are developing sensors to monitor and help prevent damage to wear-resistant coatings on planes, bridges, pipelines, turbines and more. Do you believe this type of technology will give coatings a longer lifespan?

The U.S. Green Building Council launched its draft for the new LEED v5 rating system for Operations and Maintenance of existing buildings, which will adopt minimum requirements for embodied carbon by using a data-driven approach to certification. Do you believe this certification is a practical way to move toward net zero buildings?

The National Energy Technology Laboratory has announced a new development in advanced sensors for the detection and prediction of corrosion in natural gas pipelines, using either optical fiber-based or passive wireless sensing technology. Should this technology be adapted for other sites that are at risk for a gas leak?

A team has developed energy-efficient coating that mimics the qualities of a desert chameleon to keep buildings cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Do you believe creating temperature control coatings that mimic nature should be widely studied to increase coating technology efficiency?

Researchers developed a new type of coating using thin lignin nanoparticle films that remain transparent when deposited on glass, according to the study, with potential uses for color-altering films and antifogging coatings. Do you believe this coating technology could be used to improve glass-based coatings?

An analysis on industries with the happiest workers in the U.S. found that construction workers had the highest levels of self-reported happiness of any other major industry category, due in part to sign wages and greater job opportunities. Do you see this success within the construction industry, particularly with the labor shortage?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a framework that takes a planned approach to review new and new uses of PFAS to ensure that they are extensively evaluated within 90 days to prevent the chemicals to enter into commerce. Do you believe this review time is enough to prevent PFAS from harming human health and the environment?

Researchers at the University of Houston are developing an autonomous robot, meant to identify potential pipeline leaks and structural failures during subsea inspections. Do you believe current autonomous technology should be used to conduct structural inspections?

A study investigated how a natural polymer that is an element of plant cell walls could be used to make new antimicrobial treatments or coatings. Do you believe using natural polymers could drive down the cost of antimicrobial coatings?

In August, the U.S. Department of Energy announced it awarded almost $34 million to industry- and university-led projects on clean hydrogen. Should more money be put into clean hydrogen as a leading clean energy option?

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai have reportedly developed a new formulation for a “self-healing” polymeric coating for solar cells. Do you believe self-healing coatings can be widely used within the industrial coatings sector in the next decade?

Researchers have developed new films that don’t absorb light to potentially reduce the energy needed for cooling in buildings or vehicles, inspired by the nanostructures in butterfly wings. Do you believe researchers should take further inspiration from nature-based structures for sustainable films?

A team of researchers in Japan developed a new way to produce crack-resistant elastic nanoparticle-based latex films without the use of potentially harmful additives. Do you believe more money should be utilized for research for crack-resistant coatings?

Researchers from Bayreuth University developed an upcycling process that transforms aluminum-plastic composite films, used in household items like chip bags, into energy-saving films using polymer coatings. Do you believe this type of household-based upcycling is the future of sustainable coatings?

A study from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and Nanjing University suggested to use a “reverse” passive design approach for building sustainability, which would utilize building optimization software. Do you believe digitalization solutions are required to meet decarbonization efforts with buildings?

Researchers at the University of Kitakyushu in Japan have reportedly found that up to 8% of sand in concrete and mortar for a single-story house could be replaced with shredded, used disposable diapers without diminishing strength. Do you believe the use of disposable household products like diapers should become more widely used in the construction industry?

A recent study has suggested that if 139 billion gallons of the world’s whitest paint covered 1 to 2% of the Earth’s surface, global temperatures would stop rising due to the amount of light being reflected back into space. Do you think this concept would be practical in application?

A study conducted by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment reports to have found that some epoxy coatings for offshore wind turbines can be potentially harmful to the environment. Should alternative coating types be explored for offshore wind turbines?

Researchers from West Virginia University are testing the effectiveness of lower grade hardwood lumber made from yellow poplar as a more sustainable and affordable alternative to traditional building materials. Do you believe lower grade hardwood lumber should be made widely available for construction?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed risk management ban on most uses of perchloroethylene. Do you believe perchloroethylene presents enough of a health risk that it should be banned?

California plans to invest up to $180 billion over the next 10 years in clean infrastructure, with an anticipated 400,000 jobs created in the process. Do you believe this is an appropriate investment budget?

Global nonprofit organization Green Seal recently announced that its certified paints and coatings now qualify toward points for multiple LEED credits. Should this be adapted to sustainable coatings to promote a greener industry?

New research from Stanford University suggests that one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded in Alberta, Canada, was caused by wastewater injected underground by oil and gas operators. Do you believe large-scale oil and gas operations should be paused to investigate the potential of further natural disasters?

Research from the University of New South Wales has demonstrated that organic light-emitting diodes can be harnessed to map magnetic fields, which could allow people to use smartphones to easily map fields around them. Do you believe this technology should be utilized on construction sites to better map the area?

Researchers from Sandia National Laboratories are testing nickel mixtures as protective coatings on stainless steel to protect it from corrosion caused by sea air. Do you believe an alternative mixture like nickel could introduce more cost-effective coatings into the industry?

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration released the outcomes from its first concept review to align its Moon to Mars exploration, which focuses on a plan for an initial lunar surface architecture. Do you believe this project will affect construction and building design technology on Earth?

A report from the International Energy Agency found that the global energy sector produced nearly 135 million tons of methane emissions in 2022, an increase from the year prior. Do you believe the industry is taking the right steps in lowering its carbon footprint over the next decade?

Legislation introduced in Rhode Island could create solar panel installation regulations for most new construction projects in the state, with a goal to increase energy efficiency, reduce the long-term costs and contribute to clean energy goals. Do you believe similar clean energy mandates should be implemented in every state?

The University of Buffalo is reportedly preparing for what is being called the largest-ever United States earthquake test of a brick and mortar building, with hopes of making structures more earthquake-resistant. Should natural disaster testing like this become more commonplace across the country?

A team of researchers from the University of Central Florida was awarded a patent for their nanomaterial-based disinfectant using in a coating that can kill viruses, including COVID-19. Do you believe this technology will be widely adopted in the healthcare industry?

A German research institute developed an environmentally friendly and efficient laser solution for biofouling. Could laser solutions be used to resolve other failures in the coatings industry?

Earlier this year, researchers transformed a crude oil byproduct, asphaltene, into graphene for thermal, anti-corrosion and 3D printing applications. Do you believe resources recycled from this process could yield other useful coating materials?

A researcher from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College plans to study a method for “growing” building materials on Mars by using fungus paired with bacteria to create calcium carbonate. Do you think this material would also be practical and beneficial on Earth?

Researchers at the University of Toronto developed a multilayered fluidic system, inspired by the skin of certain species of squid, that has the potential to reduce energy costs in buildings. If scaled up, do you believe this method could be adopted to optimize the wavelength, intensity and dispersion of light transmitted through windows?

The new Royal Bournemouth Hospital building in the United Kingdom will be built using artificial intelligence technology. Do you believe utilizing artificial intelligence in construction can improve efficiency?

A team of researchers from the University of Minnesota created a catalyst to convert resources like trees and corn into acrylic acid and acrylates. Do you think conversion methods like this are the future of sustainability in the painting and coatings industry?

As part of a project to develop guidance and methods to estimate rebar reinforcement section loss for bridge maintenance, researchers examined corrosion damage on bridges in Minnesota. Do you believe rebar reinforcement research for improved performance methods will improve a bridge’s lifespan?

A year-end report from Dodge Construction Network shared that the construction industry could remain positive in 2023, despite economic uncertainty. Do you believe that the industry will continue to maintain growth this year?

A recent research report found that epoxy is the fastest-growing segment by binder type in the global floor coating market, followed by acrylic, polyurethane, methyl methacrylate and others, respectively. When coating industrial floors, which type of coating do you prefer?

A “world-first” project from the University of South Australia is looking at using water treatment sludge to prevent sewer pipes from cracking in the form of self-healing concrete. Do you think this research could prove beneficial for other structures as well?

The November Construction Backlog Indicator from the Associated Builders and Contractors reported that the CBI was at its highest since the second quarter of 2019. Is your company witnessing a healthy backlog?

A recent study found that environmentally friendly alternatives to copper-based antifouling paint were best at keeping fouling at bay on ships and vessels. Do you believe the coating industry will shift towards sustainable antifouling coatings?

A recent study observed tribological behavior of coatings in real-time, looking at fracturing and delamination of coatings. Do you believe studying this method could help improve the design of coatings and surface treatments?

A recent survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America and Autodesk has found that severe workforce shortages are affecting small and large contractors. Do you believe enough is being done to address these concerns?

A research and commercialization company is looking at incorporating fly-ash into materials, such as a partial replacement for titanium dioxide in paint. Do you think this recycled material could benefit the industry?

Chicago City Council recently passed its 2022 Energy Transformation Code, making the city one of the first major U.S. cities and the first city in Illinois to adopt and exceed the 2021 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code. Do you think other cities will follow suit for decarbonization?

The EPA recently awarded a $1 million research grant to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to improve wastewater monitoring for the spread of infectious diseases to address current and future pandemics. Do you think this method will prove to be a faster indicator of an infected community versus current individual testing methods?

A recent report revealed that material shortage unpredictability and rising costs are disrupting the industry’s “design, bid, build” process. Do you believe the industry should look to alternative construction method processes?

Eastern Michigan University was recently awarded a U.S. patent for their invention of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid (OIH) coating methods. Do you believe this could potentially replace hazardous heavy metals in the metal coating industry?

A report from the Associated General Contractors of America found in an analysis of government data that although construction input costs appeared to be decreasing, contractor bid prices remained on the rise for the month of July. Have these numbers been impacting your business?

Scientists from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have recently invented a clear fireproof coating designed to protect wood surfaces and materials. Once licensed, do you think this coating will become widely used in timber buildings?

Civil engineers at the University of Dayton can now utilize a new virtual reality lab to “bring buildings to life,” allowing students to better understand a building’s placement and operation before construction commences. Do you believe this technology will be useful for building design and inspection in the industry?

Several reports have indicated that the construction industry in North America is continuing to undergo challenges related to supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and recruitment. Is your company being impacted by the labor shortage?

The City of Portland, Oregon, recently announced the approval of recommendations to add Concrete Embodied Carbon Threshold requirements for city construction projects. Do you think these requirements should be adopted in other states?

Is your company experiencing delays and other issues due to the supply chain, availability of raw materials or inflation?

Researchers are now considering how the “Whitest White” paint developed by Purdue University could slash carbon emissions and, in some cases, replace air conditioning units. Do you believe the use of coatings could aid in a global cooling effect?

Researchers are calling for a “paradigm change” in forecasting corrosion damage within reinforced concrete structures using the chloride threshold concept. Do you believe that this prediction method should be replaced?

Researchers from Tomsk State University have recently developed a new paint, Premia, designed to neutralize common pathogens and reduce nosocomial infections. Do you believe that, if certified, this paint will be more widely used?

Researchers from Northwestern University have developed a sponge capable of cleaning up oil, microplastics and phosphate from polluted waterways. While studies have shown that paint flakes largely contribute to microplastic particles in the ocean, do you believe this technology is worth pursuing?

For the first time in 40 years, the U.S. Department of Labor is proposing a rulemaking for the Davis-Bacon Act and Davis-Bacon and Related Acts to speed up prevailing wage updates, create several efficiencies in the current system and ensure that prevailing wage rates keep up with actual wages. Do you agree with the proposed changes?

A recent study published by the Swiss-based Environmental Action has found that paint accounts for 58% of microplastics in the world’s oceans and waterways. Do you believe the push for green coatings could be a solution to this issue?

A job forecast issued by ThinkWhy for construction and extraction occupations predicts that the industry is expected to expand by 3.9% (nearly 240,000 jobs) in 2022. Do you believe that this will be impacted by the current labor shortage?

Ground walnut shells, corn cob, ice cubes and high-pressure water are a few examples of less toxic abrasive blasting material options. Should standards be adapted on a large scale to implement the use of these alternatives in abrasive blasting?

Robotics company Petra created a rock boring-robot that has successfully bored through the hardest rocks in the world, including granite, basalt, gneiss and dolostone. Do you believe there needs to be an industry shift toward robotics in regard to boring?

Pending plan approval, the Central Place Sydney $2.5 billion dual-tower property will be powered by 100% renewable energy. When do you believe we will see a significant increase of these types of buildings being approved internationally?

U.S. Congress is reportedly considering using tax incentives as a way to push building projects toward energy efficiency. Do you believe this provides enough of an incentive toward sustainable construction?

A study conducted by the University of Plymouth and the Marine Biological Association observed that paint flakes could be one of the most abundant types of microplastic particles found in the ocean. Do you believe anything will be done by environmental agencies to address this discovery?

The U.S. Department of Energy announced a “Connected Communities” project, which would make 7,000 homes and businesses energy-efficient, leading to $18 billion in savings per year by 2030. Do you believe a plan similar to the “Connected Communities” project could be adopted on a national scale?

Developers in Massachusetts plan to install solar panels designed to float in human-made bodies of water to address concerns regarding space for clean energy development. Do you believe this space solution could be used elsewhere?

The Cool Pavement Pilot Program’s results show that cool pavements have an average surface temperature of 10.5 to 12 degrees Fahrenheit lower than traditional asphalt at noon and during afternoon hours. Given the increase in research concerning how various cities’ streets affect radiant heat, do you believe this result shows enough of a temperature difference for cool pavement research to be adapted state-wide?

Boston recently approved a new ordinance that will require all buildings larger than 20,000 square feet to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050. Do you believe the timeframe should be shorter or extended?

How important is it to you to use green technology when it is an option?

Tesla Energy, along with Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and Dacra, announced a new initiative for the first Tesla Solar neighborhood, a sustainable residential community. The project’s goal is to create an energy-neutral, solar-based community that can be a blueprint for large-scale housing projects internationally. Do you believe this initiative will be successful?

A fourth-year forensic science student from the University of Toronto, Bethany Krebs, discovered a form of abrasive blasting that could be more efficient in revealing fingerprints than conventional dusting methods. By using abrasive blasting, Krebs argues that the methodical, uniform technology of abrasive blasting minimizes the risk of error that comes with traditional fingerprinting. Do you believe this new method of fingerprinting will eventually be used by forensic departments?

Researchers from the Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science announced the development of a new coating strategy for semiconductors that provides corrosion protection, improves efficiency and could even lower the cost of solar fuel production by producing solar fuels when semiconductors are illuminated. However, the illumination process is prone to corrosion and could lead to the need for frequent materials replacement. Do you believe a more sustainable form of corrosion protection, such as the one developed by Yale researchers, is adaptable on a larger scale?

The U.S. Energy Information Administration issued an independent statistics and analysis report, revealing that large-scale U.S. solar capacity growth is expected to exceed wind growth for the first time in history. However, given the uncertainty related to ongoing economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic and the forecasted increase in electricity sales, do you believe sustainable energy will continue to be adapted on a large scale?

Researchers from the Center for Environmental Health Engineering at Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute developed a new approach to monitoring regional levels of SARS-CoV-2 by looking at wastewater. This approach, known as wastewater-based epidemiology, sees researchers analyzing sewage samples for levels of coronavirus infection. Do you believe this approach should be used nationally to monitor local levels of COVID-19 infection?

Researchers in Finland say they have found a way to turn wood waste into a coating that resists abrasion, stains and sunlight better than traditional coatings by using lignin, a natural polymer in wood. Do you believe the U.S. should try to adopt this practice of utilizing lignin to strengthen wood on a larger scale?

In the U.S., Virgin Hyperloop announced a partnership with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission to study options of building a hyperloop connecting Pittsburgh, Columbus and Chicago. With the first test containing human passengers successfully completed in November 2020, what do you think is a feasible timeline for the hyperloop to be built between the three states?

Researchers at Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology have reportedly developed a new technique for strengthening and healing concrete: this time, by utilizing watermelon seeds. Do you think the biocementation could prove beneficial to the industry?

Researchers from Northwestern University say they have developed a new transparent coating that can be used to capture droplets and aerosols—effectively removing them from the air—with a focus on surfaces such as plexiglass barriers and face masks. What do you think is an ideal timeline for the coating to be approved for commercial use?

The London office of architecture firm Perkins&Will recently announced tis development of a searchable directory of sustainable products to help minimize the carbon footprint of interior projects. Do you think the directory will be beneficial to the industry?

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory recently confirmed that the U.S. Green Building Council is piloting a new credit for the installation of cool exterior walls in new homes, schools and commercial buildings for the purpose of mitigating urban heat islands. Do you think the pilot credit will inspire more facility owners to integrate cool walls?

The Biden administration recently approved the construction and operation of Vineyard Wind 1, the nation’s first large-scale offshore windfarm. Do you think the nation will reach its goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind in America by 2030?

Recently, Wyoming announced its intentions to sue other states blocking its exports of coal—an issue that’s resulting in the shutdown of its coal-fired power plants. Do you think it’ll be the only state to send such a strong message?

Engineers from Purdue University recently created what they’re calling “the whitest paint yet.” How long until you think building and facility owners will be able to utilize the coating to cool down their buildings as intended?

President Joe Biden recently developed a set of actions aimed at catalyzing offshore wind energy capable of triggering more than $12 billion per year in capital investment in projects on both U.S. coasts and tens of thousands of jobs, among other benefits. If successfully carried out, do you think the new energy push will offset the losses experienced in the oil and gas industries?

In January, the “Buy American” policies initially set forth by former President Donald J. Trump got a boost after President Joe Biden signed a new executive order aiming at increasing government purchases of American-made products. Do you think the EO will help build back the industry’s economy?

Recently, engineers from Purdue University discovered that adding small amounts of nanoscale titanium dioxide to cement could make the material more sustainable. Do you think the resulted material could outweigh any potential health and safety concerns?

Recently, civil engineers from the Cork Institute of Technology announced that they were planning to recycle wind turbine blades for a future pedestrian bridge. If proven successful, do you think the recycled blades will be incorporated in more civil infrastructure projects?

Based on nanomaterial cement mixture research conducted by Penn State University scientists, do you think the nanomaterial is promising for the sealing leaks in oil and gas industry?

Former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler recently unveiled a new National Recycling Goal that aims to increase the national recycling rate to 50% by 2030. Do you think the endeavor will successfully create more jobs and help to conserve natural resources?

The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy has recently awarded a $600,000 grant to Rolls-Royce University materials science and engineering professor and technology center director Elizabeth J. Opila with the aim to increase turbine engine coatings’ temperature tolerance by 200 degrees Celsius. If successful, do you see the coatings being utilized in other infrastructure forms?

The United States Navy recently announced the launch of its new research competition, “Rust-A-Thon.” Do you think the endeavor will prove effective in developing new protective coating materials?

The Long Ridge Energy Terminal recently announced plans to convert its 485-megawatt combined-cycle power plant to run on carbon-free hydrogen. While its slated to be the first-of-its-kind for the nation, how soon do you think other plants will start making conversions to carbon-free energy production?

The U.S. Green Building Council reported last month that more than 130 LEED projects have engaged in its Safety First pilot credits in support of “healthy reopening plans in response to the pandemic.” Do you think the number of projects will continue to increase?

In October, the National Institute of Standards and Technology awarded the University of Connecticut $768,000 in federal funding for the continued research on premature degradation of concrete foundations containing pyrrhotite. Do you think the grant will help UConn develop a reliable and efficient way of testing the corrosive mineral?

Last month, engineers from RMIT University announced the development of an eco-friendly, zero-cement concrete that can withstand corrosive acidic environments, commonly observed in wastewater infrastructure. How long until you think the material is commercially available?

International research firm, Lux Research Inc. recently issued its report, “Analyzing the Technical Barriers to Realizing the Hyperloop,” which claims that the first passenger-carrying high-speed Hyperloop projects shouldn’t be expected to open until 2040—at the earliest. What timeframe estimate would you give the Hyperloop?

In May, researchers from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology announced that they had developed a multilevel antimicrobial polymer (MAP-1) coating that they claim to be effective in killing viruses, bacteria and spores. How soon until you think the coating will be brought to the market?

Researchers from Oregon State University’s College of Science have reported that they’re looking at new ways to design pigments to be more stable, durable and non-toxic with vivid hues. Do you think their research will be successful in determining key ingredients for vivid colors so that pigments can be discovered over shorter time periods?

Last month, Connecticut lawmakers announced that federal funding for research on pyrrhotite and its impact on foundations was included in a spending bill. Do you think the research will help residents come up with a plan to combat the area’s deteriorating foundations?

At the University of Wisconsin–Madison, engineers recently developed a new ultrathin coating, reported to camouflage heat when viewed through infrared technology. Do you think the research findings will one day be beneficial to applications in heat transfer, camouflage or even clothing as to protect personal privacy?

Following NYC’s initiatives set by the Climate Mobilization Act, Mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced plans to conduct deep energy retrofits in nine city facilities, in addition to plans for identifying another 28 facilities for future retrofits. The initiative aims to cut energy usage by more than 50%. Do you believe the plan will be successful?

Researchers at Stanford University recently produced an “anti-solar panel” prototype that collects energy from the night sky through tapping into the temperature difference between Earth and outer space. Do you believe the technology has equal potential for green energy as existing solar panels?

Danish wind energy firm Ørsted recently announced that the Hornsea Project One—what will be one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms—was nearly finished and on track for its 2020 completion date. In pushing the U.K. closer to its 2030 goal of deriving a third of its electricity from offshore wind, do you think more countries will convert to offshore green energy practices?

Last month, a new report from GlobalData—a research firm that breaks down construction projects in the United States—found that nearly 60% of the construction market is occupied by just 10 states. The report aims to provide an assessment of the current construction project pipeline, based on various data collected from the 10 key states over a five-year span. Do you think the study will help improve future construction methods?

In August, researchers based out of the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, India, announced the development of a new way to protect ships from corrosion using a compound from mango leaves. Though further testing still needs to be conducted, do you think the technology will be used in future industrial coating products?

Over the summer, Danish architecture firm COBE was tapped for a new science center, planned to be built in the Swedish university city of Lund. With plans to be fully carbon-neutral, do you think the potential icon of sustainability and durability will inspire a future generation of architectural projects?

A recent study by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that in many climates in the United States, the use of “cool” exterior walls could lead to annual heating, ventilation and air conditioning energy cost savings up to 11% for stand-alone retail stores, 8.3% for single-family homes and 4.6% for medium-sized office buildings. Do you believe the cost savings is worth sacrificing a building's style?

Announced in mid-July, a historic Pennsylvania bridge will be the first in the U.S. to use an electrically isolated tendon system (EIT), which helps to detect corrosion on post-tension tendons with reported minimal changes to construction schedules. Would you consider using this technology?

Researchers from Columbia University have recently developed a new coating material inspired by the Saharan Silver Ant to keep buildings cool. According to physics professor Nanfang Yu and his team, the developing coating can reflect up to 99% of sunlight. Slated to require more research and testing, when do you predict the technology will be released into the market?

Plans were released for what Canada is dubbing the “world’s tallest hybrid building.” With more architects and design-build contractors choosing timber for green building standards, do you think more cities should be following this model for reducing greenhouse gas emissions?

At the tail end of April, NYC passed a green roof bill, requiring all new commercial and residential buildings in the city to have 100% green roofs made up of plants, solar panels or small wind turbines—or a combination of all three. Do you think 100% coverage is an achievable goal?

In Dubai, a $13.6 billion Mohammed Bin Rashid Maktoum Solar Park has completed its fourth phase of construction, including the base of a concentrated solar tower (slated to be the tallest in the world). With the ability to power 1.3 million homes, cutting 6.5 million tons of carbon emissions annually, do you think more countries should be funding these kinds of solar-powered innovations?

AkzoNobel, along with a consortium of 13 partners, launched a new research project aiming to collect wasted solar energy absorbed by buildings in April. In a plan to create both transparent- and opaque-type panels that won’t disrupt the building’s aesthetics, do you think we will eventually see the finished product on all types of building exteriors?

Labor shortages and rising steel prices are among some of the top concerns shown in the Q2 2018 United States Gypsum Corporation + U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index. Are these issues among your top concerns?

Talk of a trade war is heating up as Canada and the EU take measures in reaction to the United States' steel tariffs. Will the ultimate effect on the world economy be positive or negative?

As the year reaches its halfway point, how has your business fared in 2018?

Many coatings suppliers have reported that increased raw-materials prices hurt their bottom line in 2017. Have rising material costs impacted your business in the past year?

Researchers have started modifying the color of a certain bacteria, which they say could lead the way to “growing” biodegradable, non-toxic paint. Do you think research such as this is worth pursuing?

Preliminary research released last month on China’s “air-purifying tower” has found that since launch, the tower has created more than 353 million cubic feet of clean air per day, reducing smog levels to moderate on otherwise severely polluted days. Do you think the greenhouse technology employed here will take off in other cities?

A recent survey found that workers in the Generation X age group are unhappy, overworked, and ready to change jobs, and 81 percent of all workers would consider leaving their current roles for the right offer. Does this statistic surprise you?

The Denver Green Roof Initiative that passed last month in Colorado not only requires new, large buildings to be constructed with green roofs but also requires buildings of a certain size to install green roofs when the current one is up for replacement. Do you think more cities should follow suit?

A group of South Korean designers has proposed inserting towers into the hollowed-out trunks of giant sequoia trees. Do you think this is a good idea?

Construction spending patterns vary among public and private segments. Which segment do you think will show the most promise this year?

The 2016 Better Roads Bridge Inventory indicates that a greater percentage of American bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete than were last year. What's the best way to address this problem?

Shortly after the U.S. election, the American Institute of Architects issued, and then apologized for, a statement in which the organization said its members "stand ready to work with" President-elect Donald Trump on schools, hospitals and infrastructure projects. Was the apology warranted?

Will you be voting in the upcoming U.S. election?

The United States Department of Energy recently awarded $137 million in funding to organizations, including one Fortune 500 coatings company, to foster development of technologies to improve commercial and passenger vehicle efficiency. Should large, for-profit companies be eligible for such grants?

How often do your clients request green products or green processes?

How much weight do you give to announcements of new coatings technologies discovered in the lab?

How much weight do you give to market-research studies?

The U.S. Green Building Council recently held its annual conference, Greenbuild. Do you think sustainability and green design is politically or financially motivated, or does it make good business sense?

Would you live in a primarily solar-powered house?

U.S. construction activity was up about 7 percent from 2013 to 2014. What do you see for 2015?

What is your top priority in evaluating a green building product?

Overall, how much do your clients really care about using green building materials and processes?

The U.S. Highway Trust Fund is set to go broke in August. What should Congress do?

The building industry is under pressure to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions. What’s the best way to do that?

What architectural energy improvements do you believe offer the best bang for the buck?

Critics say that the U.S. Green Building Council dominates the green building movement in an unhealthy way, crowding out other worthy organizations and agendas. What do you think?

What industry economic indicators do you follow most closely?

How important is it to you to use green building products and materials when they are an option?

What green building word would you most like to retire?

A bill now before Congress would raise the federal minimum hourly wage to $10.10. Should Congress pass the bill, kill it, or pursue an amended version?

Do you have a preferred “green” building system for design and construction?

With the new Congress seated and a second term for President Obama underway, what do you expect of jobs and the economy this year?

As the economy demands doing more with less, what do you feel gets shortchanged most often in the process?

How is uncertainty over the “fiscal cliff” crisis affecting your business decisions for 2013?

Will Congress and President Obama work out a deal to avoid the “fiscal cliff?”

What is your top economic concern in this election year?

What is most important to the nation’s economic health?

What coating advance should researchers focus on now?

Which of the following research or development areas seems most likely to become a strong market for coatings?

Of the following, which should be the most important current objective of R&D in coatings?

What do you think of the Occupy Wall Street movement? (Please comment!)

In today’s economy, what path would you advise next for a new high school graduate?

How do you see the future of the green-building movement?

Overall, who provides the best advancements in coating materials?

Who will suffer most politically next year from the public anger ignited by the debt battle and its economic fallout?

What about these high profits we read about? Are you or your company making money?

How much of the existing commercial building stock will be retrofitted with energy-efficient components (walls, curtain walls, roofs) in the next 10 years?

According to recent real estate forecasts, it will take 3-4 more years to work through the glut of foreclosed properties. What does this mean for the construction and coating industries?

In your opinion how much will the energy consumption of buildings decline by 2025?

How do you think the green building movement and LEED Certification have impacted the coatings industry?

What do you think of President Obama’s six-year, $556 billion infrastructure/transit proposal?

Where should current coatings R&D be focused?

How has the green building movement affected your business?

What is your biggest challenge as a painting contractor in this down economy?

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