News
How Standards and Testing Will Help Keep Self-Driving Vehicles Moving Safely on the Road
All aspects of human driving — instinctive decisions, driver collaborations and interacting with road infrastructure — must be replicated for automated driving. Many experts believe humans still have an edge over today’s technologies, but technology is rapidly improving. Industry, government and other partners are working toward replicating these aspects of human driving for automated vehicles (AVs) and building a supporting infrastructure.
NIST Engineers Design 5 New Ways to Connect Concrete Pieces for More Resilient Buildings
NIST engineers have introduced five new ways to connect precast concrete components that significantly enhance building resilience.
How Do Recycling Facilities Sort Different Kinds of Plastic?
When scientists need even more details about the composition of a plastic, they can use lab techniques that involve dissolving the plastic in a solvent, sometimes while heating. After dissolving a sample, the scientist might examine it using a technique called size exclusion chromatography, which takes advantage of the fact that smaller molecules move more slowly than bigger ones through a column or tube packed with porous beads.
Pawtucket Manufacturer’s Forum Provides Lively Conversation and Insights
On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, various manufacturers gathered at the Cooley Group’s Pawtucket headquarters for a stimulating conversation on the current state of Rhode Island manufacturing.
How Can Companies Improve Sustainability Efforts?
In a feature for Material Handling & Logistics, Indrani de Silva of Sphera explains that although many companies now publish ESG commitments, a surprising number still lack the systems and supplier engagement needed to deliver meaningful improvements.
The Toll of Tariffs
Rhode Island’s manufacturing sector remains a major contributor to the state’s economy. And many of those companies are under tremendous stress, according to a survey conducted in June by R.I. Commerce Corp., the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association and Polaris MEP.
AI in Manufacturing: What’s Now—and What’s Next?
IndustryWeek’s coverage by MIT Professor Wojciech Matusik spotlights artificial intelligence as a transformative force in manufacturing, pushing adoption beyond experimentation to everyday business impact.
Overconfidence in Cybersecurity Strategy Puts Supply Chains at Risk
New research from NCC Group [link: https://www.nccgroup.com/] highlighted in Material Handling & Logistics News reveals a troubling gap between perception and reality in supply chain cybersecurity preparedness.
Nuclear in Your Backyard? Tiny Reactors Could One Day Power Towns
In her Manufacturing.net article, “Nuclear in Your Backyard? Tiny Reactors Could One Day Power Towns,” Aditi Verma, Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan, explores how the next wave of microreactors could reshape the nuclear energy landscape.
Shedding Light on the Future of Metal 3D Printing
NIST researcher Brian Gutierrez is illuminating a breakthrough approach that uses laser light reflections—called caustics—to reveal defects in metal 3D printing in real time.
Companies seek ‘next-generation’ makers at Manufacturing Day 2025
A shortage of qualified workers remains a familiar concern for Rhode Island’s manufacturing leaders in attendance at RI’s Future in the Making 2025. PBN’s Jacquelyn Voghel spoke with Doug Travers of Herrick & White and Rose Wood of Neocorp.
Hundreds of Rhode Island Students Explore Local Manufacturing Careers at Manufacturing Day 2025
Despite the gloomy weather, Rhode Island’s next generation of makers gathered at Farm Fresh Rhode Island on October 8th for the fourth annual Manufacturing Day Career Exploration Experience, hosted by Polaris MEP.
Measuring Harmful By-Products of Air Cleaners
This test will allow manufacturers to make improvements in their devices, enable consumers to make apples-to-apples comparisons, and pave the way for emission limits of these by-products.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Generative AI in a demanding Industrial Setting
When implemented thoughtfully, with grounding and governance, Gen AI bridges the gap between complex systems and human ingenuity.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Generative AI in a demanding Industrial Setting
When implemented thoughtfully, with grounding and governance, Gen AI bridges the gap between complex systems and human ingenuity.
Nordson EFD Completes Eighth Job Shadowing Program with Polaris MEP
Hosted by Polaris MEP and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), this is a community-based program in its second year of support for the Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC-RI) training center in Providence, RI. The initiative aims to prepare individuals for careers in advanced manufacturing, with job shadowing being a key component of the hands-on experience in workforce training. Nordson EFD has been involved in local internships, facility tours, and hiring local Rhode Island students with the required technical skills for machining and other production jobs.
Request for Proposals: Job Training & Support Services
Polaris MEP seeks proposals from training providers for job training and support services targeting adults seeking full-time, livable-wage employment in the Advanced Manufacturing, Marine Trades, and Blue Economy sectors.
Rhode Island Manufacturers Report Tariffs Have Negatively Impacted Their Bottom Line
Survey conducted by Polaris MEP, Rhode Island Commerce and the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association captures scope of impact on Ocean State manufacturing