October_2021_AMP_Digital

A D V A N C E D M A T E R I A L S & P R O C E S S E S | O C T O B E R 2 0 2 1 3 0 academic researchers also stressed that consumers should consciously lower their plastics usage by implementing the 3Rs—reduce, reuse, and recycle—in their day-to-day activities [10] . Another LCA investigation sug- gests that importing fresh meat such as pork from long distances adds to multiple-times higher CO 2 emissions than bringing it in from nearby plac- es [11] . Likewise, about 60% of the ener- gy consumed in transporting food to Southeast Asia (i.e., Singapore) goes toward fresh air-freighted meats and fish, which represents 3.7% of the food consumed [11] . Perhaps sourcing food from neighboring nations or produc- ing it locally will reduce the carbon im- pact using a nanotechnology approach. It is further recognized that plant pro- tein-based or vegetarian-refined meats have a lower carbon impression than animal-sourced meat. Subsequently, a panel discussion emphasized these issues, along with the necessity of public inclusion and involvement in addressing the chal- lenges [12] . Panel members stressed the development of standards and guide- lines as a framework for the success- ful development of a circular economy in which researchers and industries can amend their present work mod- els, aligning individual endeavors with the overarching common good. Anoth- er suggestion was to introduce circular economy principles to ISO standards that can be followed for manufacturing industry business models. It was fur- ther mentioned that the circular econ- omy needs to advance the utilization of as many biodegradable materials as would be prudent in manufacturing products (i.e., biological nutrients), so they can return to nature without caus- ing ecological damage toward the end of their useful life. Panelists also talked about the idea that sustainability concepts are not integrated intomaterials science or oth- er science and engineering curricula. A suggestion was to integrate the fun- damental educational framework into the technical knowledge around sus- tainability, including system thinking, analytical thinking, leadership, and a framework to tackle challenging and complex problems. The panel also dis- cussed the essential role that nanoma- terial technologies play in addressing key issues facing our present and future society. In particular, panelists shared the dire need for a sustainable supply of resources (e.g., energy, water, and prod- ucts) and infrastructure (e.g., transpor- tation, buildings, and health services) in relation to technological progress. The conference further high- lighted that the greatest volume of greenhouse gases is produced by the industrial sector, suggesting substantial value in focusing green/sustainable ef- forts on modifying industrial practices. For example, cooperation or network- ing among manufacturing industries could allow waste-to-value materials exchange at scale with the industry. Intel and Ricoh shared their separate endeavors in embracing manageable procedures and plans of action for ac- complishing circularity [10,13] . Intel, a U.S.-based pioneer in mi- croelectronics fabricating, has execut- ed sustainable advancements over its extensive environment of manufac- turing, innovation improvement, and worldwide supply chain [13] . The compa- ny improved the wet procedure packing industry in Southeast Asia by reducing the use of unsafe chemical consum- ables and water with greener options and a dry procedure, respectively. The annual size of the digital universe (i.e., the information humans make and duplicate) is anticipated to arrive at 180 zettabytes by 2025 due to the huge progression of information. This brings about increasing requirements for ener- gy-productive processing and memory, with a lower asset impression. Ground- breaking innovations in this domain are essential for the future of our digi- tal universe, and Intel is currently re- searching this area [13] . Ricoh, a printer product company from Japan, is enlisting the 3Rs current- ly to improve its resource preservation to 50% by 2030. Ricoh advancements also incorporate efforts to decrease the size and weight of products and pack- aging materials, repair utilized items, reuse parts in great condition, and reuse the plastic and metal waste while understanding their connections with a typical eco-framework [10,13] . Based on the findings from the CE meeting, the authors explained in the European Business Review how a circu- lar economy is beneficial to humankind for a sustainable future in the long run, as well as the different opportunities that the industrial and research sectors will unveil with this transition [14] . The deliberations of the conference also led to a textbook on the circular economy for university students and beginners in the field [15] . CONCLUSION The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals stand as a model for academic researchers and industrial manufacturers to adjust their interests and approaches in improving the state of the planet. The concepts of the circu- lar economy and sustainability are mul- tifaceted and thus ought to be taught using a multidisciplinary education- al plan and pursued through collective advancements across various scientific fields. Infusing the principles of sustain- able practice into the lifestyles of the younger generation will further support the proposed and discussed challenges to realize sustainable, livable cities and societies in the future. ~AM&P Acknowledgment: The authors would like to acknowledge the timely sup- port and encouragement received from the National Science Foundation (NSF Award # 1929899); Agency for Science, Technology and Research, University of Central Florida; and the National Uni- versity of Singapore. IN PARTICULAR, PANELISTS SHARED THE DIRE NEED FOR A SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY OF RESOURCES (E.G., ENERGY, WATER, AND PRODUCTS) AND INFRASTRUCTURE (E.G., TRANSPORTATION, BUILDINGS, AND HEALTH SERVICES) IN RELATION TO TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS.