Latest news with #Maryland-based
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Startup develops revolutionary new 'superwood' that can resist fire and water: 'Nature's most highly evolved structure'
Wood isn't yielding to concrete and steel when it comes to being the construction material of the future. That's because a Maryland-based company's lumber breakthrough could soon put it in contention as the leader. InventWood's product isn't your grandfather's two-by-four. Superwood has 10 times the strength-to-weight of steel and is six times lighter. What's more, it's fire-, rot-, and pest-resistant, with a production process that's 90% cleaner than steel — all while mimicking the look and feel of regular lumber, per the company website. "Superwood demonstrates what's possible when we combine nature's most highly evolved structure with revolutionary science," InventWood CEO Alex Lau said in an Interesting Engineering report. It all starts with a molecular-level transformation. Superwood is made by removing specific "components" at the timber's cellular level. The experts use food-safe chemicals for the "molecular reinvention." The wood is compressed, increasing density by a factor of four, and creating hydrogen bonds between the cellulose fibers. It's part of how the material becomes stronger and resistant to rot. Finishing treatments can provide customized design stylings, InventWood added. Environmentalist and entrepreneur Paul Hawken said the product could shape the future of worldwide construction. It's "an extraordinary breakthrough that exalts the genius of the natural world," he said, per IE. What is stopping you from upgrading to a heat pump system? The cost of installation I live in a cold area I don't know enough about it I already have one Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The company secured $15 million in a funding round, and it intends to begin shipping products from Frederick by September. Its total fundraising has hit $50 million in private and government sources. The innovation got its start from research completed by University of Maryland Professor Liangbing Hu, as IE noted. The university has made headlines before for genetic modifications to wood that makes it stronger for construction use. Elsewhere, experts at Michigan Technological University are working with layers of wood and resin to form stronger materials. Some architects are even predicting that wooden skyscrapers will soon become more common as safe and sustainable alternatives to dirty concrete and steel towers. For its part, the building and construction sector accounts for 37% of global heat-trapping air pollution, according to the United Nations. Those toxins are linked by NASA to increased risks of severe weather, which are even impacting insurance premiums and coverage. Consumers and builders can encourage cleaner innovations by supporting entrepreneurs who are developing better materials. Investing in their enterprises is a way to build a portfolio that aligns with your personal values. Meanwhile, an easy way to curb pollution coming from your home is to switch to LED lightbulbs. If you replace your home's old lightbulbs with the newer illuminators, you can save hundreds of dollars a year on your power bill while producing five times less pollution. For InventWood's part, company officials said the team is working on strategic partnerships for product deployment in North America. By supporting local economies, the company intends to provide a sustainable alternative to imported steel and aluminum, as IE reported. "We're prioritizing domestic sourcing and production to maintain the exacting standards Superwood requires," Lau said. "We're focused on ensuring every step of our process, from forest to final product, delivers uncompromising quality while supporting American manufacturing." Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CNBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
Supreme Court allows Trump to fire members of product safety agency
The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed President Donald Trump to fire members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, a federal agency set up by Congress to be independent of political pressures. The justices, granting an emergency request filed by the Trump administration, blocked a Maryland-based federal judge's ruling that reinstated Mary Boyle, Alexander Hoehn-Saric and Richard Trumka Jr., all of whom had been appointed by then-President Joe Biden. Without the three members in place, the five-member commission would for now lack the necessary quorum to fulfill its obligation to protect consumers from defective products. Under existing law, members can only be removed for "neglect of duty or malfeasance," but Trump went ahead and fired members anyway, as he has done at other agencies with similar restrictions as part of his aggressive efforts to reshape the federal government. The Supreme Court in May allowed him to fire members of the National Labor Relations Board and the Merit Systems Protection Board, casting aside precedent dating back to 1935 that upheld removal protections. The unsigned order on Wednesday said that the latest case was "squarely controlled" by what the high court decided then. As in the previous case, the three liberal justices on the conservative-majority court dissented. "Once again, this court uses its emergency docket to destroy the independence of an independent agency, as established by Congress," wrote Justice Elena Kagan. In ruling against Trump, lower court judges relied on the 1935 precedent, a case called Humphrey's Executor v. United States, which the Supreme Court has not overturned but has signaled it will in due course. The court has in recent rulings undermined the 1935 precedent by saying that similar restrictions on presidential power involving other agencies are unconstitutional because they infringe on the core constitutional powers of the president. In 2020, the court ruled on those grounds in a case involving the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director and followed that up with a similar ruling a year later concerning the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Trump in May moved to fire the three Consumer Product Safety Commission members. A month later, U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Maddox ordered that they be reinstated and they returned to their jobs while litigation continued. The Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to put Maddox's ruling on hold. The commission, set up in 1972 by Congress, oversees a wide variety of consumer product issues, including safety standards and research into injury prevention. In order to insulate the commission from politics, Congress gave the members staggered seven-year terms, stipulated that only three could represent the same political party and said the president could not fire them at will. All five members are appointed by the president, confirmed by the Senate and expected to have expertise on consumer product safety issues. Solicitor General D. John Sauer said in court papers that Maddox's ruling has "sown chaos and dysfunction" at the agency, with the reinstated members moving to undo actions that the commission took after they were initially fired. Lawyers for the commission members wrote in their own filing that the court would be adding to the disruption if it allowed their clients to be removed from office a second time. In some cases, the three commissioners have been "undoing actions that the CPSC unlawfully took" during the time they were prevented from working, the lawyers added.
NBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- NBC News
Supreme Court allows Trump to fire members of product safety agency
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed President Donald Trump to fire members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, a federal agency set up by Congress to be independent of political pressures. The justices, granting an emergency request filed by the Trump administration, blocked a Maryland-based federal judge's ruling that reinstated Mary Boyle, Alexander Hoehn-Saric and Richard Trumka Jr., all of whom had been appointed by then-President Joe Biden. Without the three members in place, the five-member commission would for now lack the necessary quorum to fulfill its obligation to protect consumers from defective products. Under existing law, members can only be removed for 'neglect of duty or malfeasance,' but Trump went ahead and fired members anyway, as he has done at other agencies with similar restrictions as part of his aggressive efforts to reshape the federal government. The Supreme Court in May allowed him to fire members of the National Labor Relations Board and the Merit Systems Protection Board, casting aside precedent dating back to 1935 that upheld removal protections. The unsigned order on Wednesday said that the latest case was "squarely controlled" by what the high court decided then. As in the previous case, the three liberal justices on the conservative-majority court dissented. "Once again, this court uses its emergency docket to destroy the independence of an independent agency, as established by Congress," wrote Justice Elena Kagan. In ruling against Trump, lower court judges relied on the 1935 precedent, a case called Humphrey's Executor v. United States, which the Supreme Court has not overturned but has signaled it will in due course. The court has in recent rulings undermined the 1935 precedent by saying that similar restrictions on presidential power involving other agencies are unconstitutional because they infringe on the core constitutional powers of the president. In 2020, the court ruled on those grounds in a case involving the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director and followed that up with a similar ruling a year later concerning the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Trump in May moved to fire the three Consumer Product Safety Commission members. A month later, U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Maddox ordered that they be reinstated and they returned to their jobs while litigation continued. The Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to put Maddox's ruling on hold. The commission, set up in 1972 by Congress, oversees a wide variety of consumer product issues, including safety standards and research into injury prevention. In order to insulate the commission from politics, Congress gave the members staggered seven-year terms, stipulated that only three could represent the same political party and said the president could not fire them at will. All five members are appointed by the president, confirmed by the Senate and expected to have expertise on consumer product safety issues. Solicitor General D. John Sauer said in court papers that Maddox's ruling has 'sown chaos and dysfunction' at the agency, with the reinstated members moving to undo actions that the commission took after they were initially fired. Lawyers for the commission members wrote in their own filing that the court would be adding to the disruption if it allowed their clients to be removed from office a second time. In some cases, the three commissioners have been "undoing actions that the CPSC unlawfully took" during the time they were prevented from working, the lawyers added.
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Excel Courier Acquires Quick Messenger Service, Expanding Courier Services Footprint in DC Metro Region
ASHBURN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Excel Courier, Inc. (Excel), a leading Mid-Atlantic provider of same-day, time-critical delivery and logistics solutions, has announced the acquisition of Quick Messenger Service (QMS), a Bethesda, Maryland-based courier company with more than 40 years of service in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Excel Courier grows stronger! We've acquired Quick Messenger Service, expanding our DC metro footprint and reinforcing our commitment to time-critical logistics. Exciting times ahead! Share QMS brings additional expertise in medical and business-critical deliveries, complementing Excel Courier's core strengths in healthcare, aviation, and professional service logistics. Excel will take on dozens of daily routes, allowing for faster response times. This acquisition follows Excel Courier's recent investments in upgraded dispatch technology and operations infrastructure, aimed at improving speed, transparency, and efficiency across its service lines. By bringing QMS into its network, Excel continues to scale its on-demand capabilities and strengthen its same-day delivery capacity in a high-demand region. 'We're always looking for ways to grow where it makes sense, and where it helps our teams and customers,' said Chris Marchetti, CEO of Excel Courier. 'Bringing QMS into the fold gives us a chance to do more of what we do best, in more places, with more great people.' Both organizations share a commitment to operational excellence and customer-focused solutions. Integration is already underway, with efforts focused on ensuring a seamless transition for clients, employees, and drivers. 'We're proud of what we've built at QMS over the past four decades,' said Mark Gross, former owner of Quick Messenger Service. 'Joining Excel opens new doors for our customers and drivers while ensuring the same reliable service our clients have come to expect.' This acquisition marks another milestone in Excel Courier's 39-year history as it continues to invest in regional growth, reliable service, and customer satisfaction. About Excel Courier Founded in 1986, Excel Courier is a 24/7/365 Mid-Atlantic leader in B2B time-critical logistics, providing same-day courier and specialized delivery services across the medical, parts distribution, data center, aviation, and professional services sectors. Known for its reliability, responsiveness, and precision, Excel Courier supports critical operations with a diverse fleet of over 250 drivers, ranging from sedans and vans to tractor-trailers, moving lives and businesses forward every day. Learn more at
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
FDA Issues Bread Recall Update After Glass Discovered in Crusts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ended a voluntary recall of 800 items after glass fragments were discovered in the crusts of several breads. Maryland-based Upper Crust Bakery LP initiated the recall regarding products distributed to six states: Pennsylvania, California, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, and Ohio. Upper Crust Bakery LP, operating out of Glenn Dale, voluntarily recalled three varieties of bread—Ancient Grains Hoagie Roll, Multigrain Sourdough, and Whole Grain Multigrain—after a team member discovered a glass fragment on a piece of seeded bread. The recall initially began on April 12, 2025, and the FDA classified it as Class II on April 25, the second-highest of three risk levels, which indicates the potential for temporary or reversible health consequences. The FDA terminated the recall on July 15. Stock image of sourdough bread slices. Stock image of sourdough bread slices. Getty Images Why it Matters The FDA warned that consuming glass fragments could cause injuries ranging from cuts in the mouth and throat to intestinal perforation—a risk prompting significant public attention. What To Know According to FDA records, the recall covered three products: Ancient Grains Hoagie Roll , 4 oz, Lot #90, 89 cases, carton code CP45, distributed frozen , 4 oz, Lot #90, 89 cases, carton code CP45, distributed frozen Multigrain Sourdough , 18 oz, Lot #90, 699 cases, carton code CP12, distributed frozen , 18 oz, Lot #90, 699 cases, carton code CP12, distributed frozen Whole Grain Multigrain, 20 oz, Lot #92, 30 cases, carton code CP12, distributed frozen The bakery, operating as Crest Hill Bakery, notified the FDA after an employee discovered a glass fragment during a routine inspection. Further investigation traced the source of the glass to sunflower seeds provided by supplier Magic Flame. Upper Crust Bakery LP stated that it immediately ceased using ingredients from the implicated supplier and removed all affected products from circulation. "We have ceased the use of sunflower seeds from the manufacturer associated with the glass fragments, Magic Flame," the company said in a statement announcing the recall. For consumers, the FDA and Upper Crust Bakery LP advised that bread with affected lot numbers should not be consumed but instead discarded or returned to the point of purchase for a refund. Health experts emphasized contacting a health care provider if glass ingestion is suspected due to the risk of gastrointestinal injury. Who People Are Saying Upper Crust Bakery LP, in a statement announcing the recall: "The recall was initiated after a vigilant team member discovered a small glass fragment on top of a piece of seeded bread." "We remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding the highest standards of quality and safety in all our products," the company added. The FDA warned at the time: "The agency warns that consuming glass fragments can result in significant injuries such as damage to teeth, lacerations of the mouth and throat, or perforation of the intestine." What Happens Next With the recall terminated as of July 15, 2025, Upper Crust Bakery LP stated that it has stopped sourcing sunflower seeds from the implicated supplier and has amended its food safety checks. For further updates on food recalls and safety guidance, visit the FDA's official recall search portal.
