Intertek Inc.

The updated UL 61730, Photovoltaic (PV) Module Safety Qualification, 3rd Edition aligns with IEC 61730 2023 revision, mandating stricter PV module product safety construction and testing certification requirements. This paper overviews revisions covering operating ambient temperature and expanded component qualifications, reflecting anticipated “real-world” end-product application uses.

As AI becomes embedded in customer-facing systems, ethical scrutiny has largely focused on models, data, and governance. Far less attention has been paid to how AI is experienced through user-facing design. This commentary argues that many AI front-ends implicitly assume an 'ideal user body and mind', and that this becomes visible and ethically consequential when examined through the experiences of differently abled users. We explore this through retail AI front-ends for customer engagement - i.e., virtual assistants, virtual try-on systems, and hyper-personalised recommendations. Despite intuitive and inclusive framing, these systems embed interaction assumptions that marginalise users with vision, hearing, motor, cognitive, speech and sensory differences, as well as age-related variation in digital literacy and interaction norms. Drawing on practice-led insights, we argue that these failures persist not primarily due to technical limits, but due to the commercial, organisational, and procurement contexts in which AI front-ends are designed and deployed, where accessibility is rarely contractual. We propose front-end assurance as a practical complement to AI governance, aligning claims of intelligence and multimodality with the diversity of real users.

Mixed-mode ventilation has gained renewed attention in U.S. sustainable building design as a strategy to reduce energy consumption, improve occupant comfort, and align with decarbonization goals. However, there is a disconnect between air quality-based mixed-mode criteria and exterior acoustic constraints within current U.S. sustainability frameworks, such as LEED and WELL. A comparative energy sensitivity analysis is presented to illustrate the potential operational and energy impacts of mixed-mode ventilation under realistic acoustic limitations. The findings highlight a gap in current incentive structures, wherein exterior noise acts as an unaccounted barrier to mixed-mode adoption. The paper concludes by discussing opportunities for integrating exterior acoustic considerations into future sustainability standards to better align energy, health, and environmental performance goals.

Traffic design has long relied on rule-based frameworks, empirical data, and professional judgment to ensure safe and efficient roadway operations. Practitioners frequently consult design manuals such as the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and state supplements to determine appropriate traffic control strategies. While this process provides regulatory consistency, it remains time-consuming and dependent on the engineer’s ability to interpret and cross-reference complex technical provisions. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have introduced new possibilities for automating design-related reasoning and documentation tasks. This study explores how different LLMs perform when tasked with interpreting MUTCD-based roadway design prompts. Specifically, two cases were examined: (1) the choice between installing a new signal or a single-lane roundabout at a suburban four-leg intersection, and (2) the development of a temporary traffic control plan for a work-zone lane closure on a multi-lane urban arterial. By comparing the citation accuracy and contextual interpretation of ChatGPT and Claude, this paper evaluates the reliability of LLMs in applying MUTCD provisions and discusses their potential as rapid-assessment tools to support engineering decision-making.

Arc flash is a hazardous electrical event that can cause severe injuries, equipment damage, and fatalities. This paper explores the fundamentals of arc flash, its historical context, notable accidents, and the importance of arc flash analysis in mitigating risks.