Anyone who has read even a few of my previous columns knows I have a cynical streak. I could blame it on my 30 years spent in Washington, D.C., but I suspect I’ve always been a “glass half empty” sort of guy. However, I have now seen that miracles can happen and I have to believe what took place in the Senate with the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) reform bill just before year’s end qualifies.

Scientists and engineers have long used biomimicry as a way to find solutions to today’s problems in nature. For example, studying shark skin has led to new materials that bacteria cannot attach to, birds and bats have inspired aircraft design, and investigating plant leaves has resulted in light absorption efficiency innovations in solar panels.

Electronic devices are everywhere nowadays,―from the touchscreen checkout monitors at the local library and grocery store to car dashboard navigation systems and communications―applications that we wouldn’t have dreamed could exist just a couple decades ago.

Hot-melt adhesives have played a key role in the packaging process for decades, but traditional technology using heated tanks is less efficient when compared to new systems available today.

Dave Dunn's January 2016 column.

Doing business in the Asia-Pacific region today is not the same as it was 50 years ago. Around the region, countries are pushing for greater connectivity through initiatives like China’s Belt and Road Initiative (B&R) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) efforts to integrate and harmonize regulatory regimes.

Carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP) are lightweight and high-strength composites designed for enhanced performance in a number of applications. They offer improvement in structural, functional or cosmetic properties.

Sherwin-Williams recently announced the launch of Paint Shield™, reportedly the first EPA-registered microbiocidal paint that continuously kills more than 99.9% of Staphylococcus aureus (Staph), MRSA, E. coli, VRE, and Enterobacter aerogenes within two hours of exposure on painted surfaces.

In today’s world of rapid innovation, manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to gain a competitive edge. H.B. Fuller intends to put its latest acquisition to work to fast-track engineering adhesives innovation in markets such as automotive; electronics; solar; wind; maintenance, repair and operations (MRO); appliance; and heavy machinery.

A fire gutted a 9,000-sq-ft building at the Canadian head office and manufacturing and distribution center of the Henry Co., a manufacturer of commercial and residential foundation coatings, roofing products, caulks, adhesives, driveway sealers, and other building products marketed under the Building Envelope Systems® trademark.