A lawsuit to hold Yahoo responsible for “willfully turning a blind eye” to the mismanagement of a human rights fund for Chinese dissidents was settled for $5.425 million last week, after an eight-year court battle. At least $3 million will go toward a new fund; settlement documents say it will “provide humanitarian assistance to persons in or from the [People’s Republic of China] who have been imprisoned in the PRC for exercising their freedom of speech.”  This ends a long fight for accountability stemming from decisions by Yahoo, starting in the early 2000s, to turn over information on Chinese internet users to state security, leading to their imprisonment and torture. After the actions were exposed and the company was publicly chastised, Yahoo created the Yahoo Human Rights Fund (YHRF), endowed with $17.3 million, to support individuals imprisoned for exercising free speech rights online.  But in the years that followed, its chosen nonprofit partner, the Laogai Research Foundation, badly mismanaged the fund, spending less than $650,000—or 4%—on direct support for the dissidents. Most of the money was, instead, spent by the late Harry Wu, the politically connected former Chinese dissident who led Laogai, on his own projects and interests. A group of dissidents sued in 2017, naming not just Laogai and its leadership but also Yahoo and senior members from its leadership team during the time in question; at least one person from Yahoo always sat on YHRF’s board and had oversight of its budget and activities.   The defendants—which, in addition to Yahoo and Laogai, included the Impresa Legal Group, the law firm that worked with Laogai—agreed to pay the six formerly imprisoned Chinese dissidents who filed the suit, with five of them slated to receive $50,000 each and the lead plaintiff receiving $55,000.  The remainder, after legal fees and other expense reimbursements, will go toward a new fund to continue YHRF’s original mission of supporting individuals in China imprisoned for their speech. The fund will be managed by a small nonprofit organization, Humanitarian China, founded in 2004 by three participants in the 1989 Chinese democracy movement. Humanitarian China has given away $2 million in cash assistance to Chinese dissidents and their families, funded primarily by individual donors.  This assistance is often vital; political prisoners are frequently released only after years or decades in prison, sometimes with health problems and without the skills to find steady work in the modern job market. They continue to be monitored, visited, and penalized by state security, leaving local employers even more unwilling to hire them. It’s a “difficult situation,” Xu Wanping, one of the plaintiffs, previously told MIT Technology Review—“the sense of isolation and that kind of helplessness we feel … if this lawsuit can be more effective, if it could help restart this program, it is really meaningful.” As we wrote in our original story, “Xu lives in low-income housing in his hometown of Chongqing, in western China. He Depu, another plaintiff, his wife, and an adult son survive primarily on a small monthly hardship allowance of 1,500 RMB ($210) provided by the local government as collateral to ensure that he keeps his opinions to himself. But he knows that even if he is silent, this money could disappear at any point.”  The terms of the settlement bar the parties from providing more than a cursory statement to the media, but Times Wang, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, previously told MIT Technology Review about the importance of the fund. In addition to the crucial financial support, “it is a source of comfort to them [the dissidents] to know that there are people outside of China who stand with them,” he said.  MIT Technology Review took an in-depth look at the case and the mismanagement at YHRF, which you can read here. 

The EV charging wars are heating up — with battery giant CATL unveiling a new battery it says can out-charge BYD and Tesla.CATL launched an updated version of its Shenxing battery on Monday, which it said allows electric vehicles to add 520 km (323 miles) of range in just five minutes of charging.The latest news sees CATL potentially snatch the lead in the global race to build EV batteries that can charge in the same amount of time it takes to fill a car up with gas.Automakers around the world are banking on ultra-fast charging to convince people to buy electric, with lengthy charging times and range anxiety still cited as some of the main reasons people are reluctant to switch.Chinese EV giant BYD announced its own superfast charging system last month, which is capable of adding 400km (250 miles) of range in five minutes, while Tesla's most advanced chargers can provide around 320 km (200 miles) of range in 15 minutes.China has quickly built up a technological advantage. In the past year, BYD, CATL, and Tesla rival Zeekr have all demonstrated batteries that can charge in under 15 minutes.And CATL upped the ante by showing off a host of cutting-edge batteries at its 'Tech Day' event on Monday.The company said the second-generation Shenxing battery was capable of ultra-fast charging in freezing temperatures, something EVs usually struggle with.In a cold-weather demo, CATL showed a Shenxing-equipped electric car charging from 5% to 80% in 15 minutes at temperatures of minus 10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit).CATL also teased a sodium-ion battery cell called Naxtra, which it said was more stable than traditional lithium-based batteries, and a series of dual-power batteries it said could equip EVs with up to 1,000km of range.The Ningde-based company is the world's largest battery manufacturer and is preparing for a multibillion-dollar public listing in Hong Kong. CATL's shares were up over 2% on Monday.

President Donald Trump ran on a promise of more fossil fuels, fewer environmental regulations, and outright climate denial — and now he’s following through. His administration is gutting clean energy policy, fast-tracking oil and gas projects, and reshaping environmental policy with sweeping consequences.At the same time, though, there’s another force pulling hard in the opposite direction. A global clean tech revolution — one that powers our homes, our cars, and our lives without wrecking the climate — is already well underway.The new generation of wind and solar power, batteries, and electric vehicles are on the verge of, or have already achieved, escape velocity, breaking free from the gravity of political capriciousness. In a lot of places, especially in power generation, the cleanest option is also the fastest, the cheapest, and the one most likely to turn a profit. That’s true whether or not you care about the climate.The world is building momentum around clean energy, unlocking ways to grow economies and raise living standards without cranking up the planet’s temperature. And every fraction of a degree we avoid means more lives saved, fewer disasters, more stability, and more of the future left intact.It’s 2025 — halfway between now and 2050, the year stamped on basically every major climate target. That puts us closer to those deadlines than we are to Gladiator, Kid A, iMacs, and frosted tips. So it’s a good moment to pause and ask: How did we get here? Are we moving fast enough? And what’s standing in the way?In this special project, Escape Velocity, Vox’s climate team set out to answer those questions. We looked at the places where climate progress is still speeding up, the breakthroughs changing everything behind the scenes, and the moments where clean tech might overcome political resistance entirely.The US has played a key role in getting the world to this point. But now, other countries are eyeing the lead. Right now, we’re holding a strong hand, but our government is actively sabotaging it. What’s at stake isn’t just a cleaner future — it’s whether the US stays in the race at all. —Paige Vega, climate editorCREDITS:Editorial lead: Paige VegaEditors: Carla Javier, Miranda Kennedy, Naureen Khan, Paige Vega, Elbert Ventura, Bryan Walsh | Reporters: Avishay Artsy, Sam Delgado, Adam Clark Estes, Jonquilyn Hill, Melissa Hirsch, Umair Irfan, Benji Jones, Paige Vega | Copy editors and fact-checkers: Colleen Barrett, Esther Gim, Melissa Hirsch, Sarah Schweppe, Kim Slotterback | Art director: Paige Vickers | Data visualization: Gabrielle Merite | Photo illustration: Gabrielle Merite | Original photography: Annick Sjobakken | Data fact-checking: Melissa Hirsch | Podcast engineering: Matthew Billy | Audience: Bill Carey, Gabby Fernandez, Shira Tarlo | Editorial directors: Elbert Ventura and Bryan Walsh | Special thanks: Nisha Chittal and Lauren Katz

You can buy the world’s ugliest game controller right now from Amazon Michael Beckwith Published April 21, 2025 1:28pm Updated April 21, 2025 1:28pm We hope the cereal doesn’t taste as bad as this looks (X) A new contender for the ugliest game controller ever made has popped up on Amazon, but at least it’s cheap. For as long as there have been video games, there have been third party manufacturers trying to sell their own compatible controllers, typically as a cheaper alternative to those offered by Nintendo and Sony. It makes sense, given how expensive official controllers can be (a new PlayStation 5 controller costs £64.99 nowadays), but often these third party controllers get slapped with hideous designs that are meant to make them stand out – often for all the wrong reasons. As such, we believe we’ve spotted the ugliest one ever made and it’s already available for the morbidly curious. The controller in question comes from Hyperkin, which specialises in selling controllers and peripherals for every video game console you can think of. Hyperkin is selling a wireless Bluetooth controller compatible with the Nintendo Switch, PCs, and mobile devices, that’s officially licensed by Cap’n Crunch. If you don’t recognise the name, Cap’n Crunch is an American cereal brand (one that’s been around since the 60s) and while we can’t comment on the cereal itself, this controller design certainly isn’t very tasteful. It’d be one thing if it just had the logo and mascot slapped across it, but the controller is almost completely covered with the cereal itself, which at first glance we mistook for uncooked pasta. Combined with the rest of the controller being bright red and the light-blue buttons, it just looks wrong. The red and blue on their own would probably look fine (it works for the Nintendo Switch), but throwing yellow on top of that with the cereal feels strangely unappetising. More Trending If you’re the sort of person who finds something appealing about ugly controllers, it is available for purchase on Amazon and at a temporary 10% discount. It’s a limited edition too, so this could become quite the rarity one day. We couldn’t find a UK listing on Amazon, but you can import it from America if you’re willing to pay extra for import fees. On it’s own though it costs $44.83, which is roughly £33.50. There are other patterns as well – three Tetris themed ones and three based on a cartoon called Miraculous Ladybug – but none of them are as bad as the Cap’n Crunch one (the one covered in tetrominos honestly looks pretty nice). One thing we’ll credit it for, though, is that the shape of the controller is at least traditional. There have been some wacky looking official controllers over the years, such as the ones for the Atari Jaguar and Nintendo’s short lived Virtual Boy, but this one’s ugliness is only skin deep. Bet you forgot that time McDonald’s made unofficial PlayStation 5 controllers (Metro) Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. GameCentral Sign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Millions of micro SD cards are sold every year around the world, and the demand for compact and expandable storage is very strong. Small though they may be, these little cards find use storing everything from HD photographs and 4K video to music and documents on a large range of devices from smartphones and digital cameras to gaming consoles. SanDisk has been the top brand and go-to name in micro SD cards for years with a reputation for reliability and consistent performance. But Amazon also entered this highly competitive space with its Amazon Basics Micro SDXC Memory Card lineup with compelling specs at prices that challenge the existing players. Amazon’s 128GB Micro SD card is currently only $10.99 (down from $11.99) which is a steal in comparison to SanDisk’s identical 128GB model at $16.99. This margin is even wider in the 256GB segment, where Amazon’s card sells for $17.99 against SanDisk’s $25.99. See 128GB Micro SD at Amazon See 256GBMicro SD at Amazon Great Speed Up To 100 MB/s Amazon cards are not only affordable but they also deliver excellent performance: They offer a read speed of up to 100 MB/s, support for A2 and U3 speed classes, and a full-size SD adapter included, and they can keep up with demanding loads like 4K videos recording, gaming, and quick app launching. A2 rating signifies that they can efficiently carry out random read and write operations which is crucial when apps are executed directly off the card on a smartphone or tablet. Micro SD cards also provide a convenient way to back up important files, move data between devices, and add capabilities to devices with limited internal memory. For photographers and videographers, the need for a fast and reliable micro SD card cannot be overemphasized to avoid lost frames or recording interruptions. For app and game users and gamers, these cards provide smoother gaming and more space for large applications and games. The inclusion of the full-size adapter also means that the Amazon Basics card can be utilized in devices that require a standard SD card slot, adding to its versatility. In short, if you need to add storage to your device affordably without sacrificing speed or reliability, Amazon Basics Micro SDXC cards are a great choice (and some reviews even say it’s better than SanDisk cards). Make sure you get yours before the rising tariffs negatively impact their price. See 128GB Micro SD at Amazon See 256GBMicro SD at Amazon

Biophilic Architecture without Plants: Invisible Design for WellbeingPresented by:Save this picture!Zolaism Café / B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio. Image © Eiichi KanoThe term "biophilia" understandably conjures images of buildings engulfed by vegetation and integrated into natural landscapes. In modern architectural discourse, the concept has come to be associated with the incorporation of greenery into built environments, yet such applications represent only a sliver of biophilic design's true scope. Inarguably, nature plays a central role in biophilic design. However, its influence stretches to often-overlooked strategies that involve spatial configuration and environmental patterning. "Invisible" biophilia frequently leads to positive health outcomes for occupants, working impactfully beneath the surface.Modern interpretations appear to have diminished the original essence of biophilic design. Social psychologist Erich Fromm first popularized the concept in 1964 to describe the "love of life" that he saw as emblematic of organisms and their intrinsic behaviors. In the 1980s, amid the societal reckoning with mass urbanization and detachment from the natural world, biologist Edward Wilson extended the theory to draw focus to human beings' inherent emotional connection to nature. Save this picture!Our evolutionary reliance on nature is the bedrock of biophilic design in architecture. Although it foregrounds the therapeutic benefits of incorporating plants in spatial design, biophilia centers more on the guiding framework of nature-human connection. It acknowledges that humans evolved within natural settings and still respond positively to natural elements and patterns that ensured survival. Related Article What is Salutogenic Architecture? Biophilic Design PrinciplesBiophilic design translates these evolutionary preferences into architectural applications. Stephen Kellert's framework for biophilic design outlines three experiential domains: direct experience of nature, indirect experience of nature, and the experience of space and place. Direct experiences often involve literal natural elements like plants and water. These last two categories are characterized by less overt, usually imperceptible, design approaches that can influence human psychology and physiology.Save this picture!The indirect experience of nature includes representations of natural elements, such as artwork depicting landscapes, naturally derived materials such as wood and stone, or ornamental patterns inspired by natural forms. The design elements activate similar psychological responses to actual nature encounters without the ongoing maintenance associated with gardening. Also important is reflecting nature's logic - its cycles and sequences - in desing. This manifests as designing around variations in light quality throughout the day or sensory stimulus through textural diversity.Rather than designing nature in space, biophilic principles shift perspectives to explore designing the nature of the space. By focusing on spatial configurations that reflect the environments humans evolved to prefer, invisible design principles address predispositions toward spatial arrangements that tap into instinctive well-being. Research shows that these design principles can reduce stress and improve cognitive performance, even in environments that lack literal natural elements.Save this picture!Nature of the Space: The Invisible PrinciplesFour design patterns fulfill psychological needs through the arrangement of architectural elements, the choreography of movement, and the manipulation of spatial perception:Prospect addresses our innate desire to see beyond our immediate surroundings and gain a broader perspective. This evolutionary advantage allowed humans to identify both resources and threats. In modern architecture, prospect can be achieved through open floor plans, elevated viewpoints, balconies, and strategic window placement that offers long-distance views. The strategy supports stress reduction and improves concentration by providing a sense of control over one's environment. A sharper awareness of the environment reinforces emotional stability and balance.Refuge complements "prospect" by offering protected spaces that provide security while maintaining visual connection to larger areas. This pattern reflects our ancestral need for safe shelter. Architectural interpretations include alcoves, covered seating areas, lowered ceilings, or partially enclosed spaces within larger environments. These spaces create an atmosphere of psychological comfort, offering a reprieve from mental strain and enabling clearer focus on complex work. Spaces of refuge have been shown to facilitate introverted reflection and small-group interactions, and can be interjected into high-stimulation environments as zones for psychological restoration. This tactic is particularly suited when designing for neurodiverse populations.  Save this picture!Mystery engages our natural curiosity through partially obscured views, winding paths, or experiential journies that promise more information with further exploration. The pattern creates a mild, pleasant tension that increases engagement with spaces. Curved hallways, partial screening elements, or gradual reveals through sequenced spaces can create this effect effectively. Translucent materials that hint at activities beyond, or lighting that creates shadows and highlights also aid in this regard. Mystery brings enhanced dopamine release associated with anticipation and discovery, increased spatial memory formation, and a deeper engagement with one's surroundings.Risk/Peril introduces an identifiable risk with reliable safeguards to induce exhilaration without compromising safety. Examples include height experiences through glass floors or elevated walkways, cantilevered structures, or spaces that appear to defy gravity. Such elements can create engaging experiences that heighten awareness and appreciation of the occupied space. Designs can embody this principle best through cantilevers, water crossings, or structures that create a controlled sense of vertigo. They amplify sensory engagement and encourage being fully present, which enhances place attachment and emotional ties to a space.Save this picture!Spaces that embody these principles quietly announce their biophilic intent. The application of these principles makes the health benefits of biophilia a cost-efficient approach to occupant well-being, relying purely on spatial arrangement, unlike the more resource-intensive use of plants that requires maintenance and seasonal adjustments. Biophilic architecture is embedded in human perception and psychological responses.The incorporation of biophilic design urges architects to consider the user journey of the occupant in a space. Their end-to-end experience - navigating vantage points and circulation paths themselves in volume alterations - becomes a primary consideration. Even in constrained settings or with limited budgets, invisible biophilia can be applied through the manipulation of heights, volumes, sight lines, and pathways. The most effective implementations balance all four elements to build tension between prospect and refuge, mystery and clarity, perceived risk, and actual safety.Save this picture!Moving Beyond GreenwashingPlants certainly enhance biophilic spaces, but focusing only on greenery misses the richer possibilities of biophilic design. Vegetation added without considering evolutionary connections to space are a clear example of greenwashing. By complementing it with other strategies from the biophilic designer's toolkit, these features create ecosystems that promote psychological well-being. Just as natural habitats function as interconnected wholes, biophilic spaces must coordinate multiple design strategies to maximize human wellbeing.Save this picture!Organizations like the International Living Future Institute and the Biophilic Institute are helping to shape education around biophilic design, advocating for a full spectrum understanding of human-nature connections. Concentrated on pathbreaking projects and research, the Biophilic Leadership Summit unites thought leaders each year to take the field beyond simple applications and into more profound exploration. Similarly, the Living Future Conference explores the role of regenerative and biophilic design in addressing larger environmental and social challenges.The biophilic design movement increasingly stresses that practical implementation demands interdisciplinary knowledge spanning psychology, biology, and architectural theory. Rather than following prescriptive formulas or adding token natural elements, architects should understand the underlying principles and adapt them to specific contexts, user needs, and performance goals.A focus on outcome metrics like stress reduction, cognitive performance, and creativity enhancement moves biophilic design beyond aesthetic considerations to address fundamental human needs. Adopting an evidence-based approach identifies that while plants contribute to biophilic environments, the invisible spatial qualities of prospect, refuge, mystery, and complexity often exert equal or greater influence on human experience.Save this picture!This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: Building Wellbeing: Designing Spaces for Healing, presented in collaboration with the Hushoffice.With its line of A-class pods Hushoffice helps create acoustically balanced workplaces that offer great environment for collaboration and focus, foster employee wellbeing, and accommodate the needs of neurodiverse staff, as well as employees with motor impairments.Every month we explore a topic in-depth through articles, interviews, news, and architecture projects. We invite you to learn more about our ArchDaily Topics. And, as always, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you want to submit an article or project, contact us. Image gallerySee allShow less About this authorAnkitha GattupalliAuthor••• Cite: Ankitha Gattupalli. "Biophilic Architecture without Plants: Invisible Design for Wellbeing" 21 Apr 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1029257/biophilic-architecture-without-plants-invisible-design-for-wellbeing&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save世界上最受欢迎的建筑网站现已推出你的母语版本!想浏览ArchDaily中国吗?是否 You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

While tariffs create a clear incentive to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., this is far from an easy task. Building up the kind of manufacturing capacity the U.S. once had will take decades, as it did in China. This week, we’ll examine why it is so difficult to reverse a trend that dates back to the breakup of RCA in the 1940s — marking manufacturing as a low government priority — an issue that can’t be fixed in a few years. We’ll close with my Product of the Week, a hydrogen-powered horse robot (in prototype form) from Kawasaki named Corleo that should be far better than a motorcycle if it makes it to market. Reshoring US Manufacturing Is Difficult The call to “bring manufacturing back” resonates deeply in the American psyche, fueled by nostalgia for a perceived golden era, concerns about national security, and anxieties over global supply chain vulnerabilities. Electronics manufacturing, which encompasses everything from intricate semiconductors to consumer gadgets, is at the heart of this discussion. Yet, despite the political rhetoric and popular support, reshoring complex electronics manufacturing to the U.S. borders on impossible in the near term. The reasons are multifaceted and deeply entrenched, stemming from decades of global economic shifts, strategic investments by competitors, and fundamental differences in infrastructure, workforce, and policy environments. Why China Still Leads Electronics Manufacturing China methodically built itself into the world’s workshop for decades, particularly for electronics. This dominance wasn’t accidental; it resulted from strategic planning and the cultivation of several key advantages that the U.S. currently cannot match. Labor Dynamics and Scale While often cited, the simple “cheap labor” argument is now oversimplified, though it was the initial catalyst. Chinese labor costs have risen significantly. However, the sheer scale of the available workforce, coupled with decades of experience, specifically in electronics assembly and production processes, creates efficiency and flexibility that is difficult to replicate. More importantly, this vast labor pool allowed for the creation of manufacturing ecosystems on a scale unseen elsewhere. Foxconn City in Shenzhen, employing hundreds of thousands of workers in a single integrated campus, exemplifies this scale. It’s a model with no parallel in the U.S. Even as automation increases, the existing skilled and semi-skilled labor base provides a foundation and adaptability critical for the rapid product cycles common in electronics. Purpose-Built Infrastructure China didn’t just attract factories; it built the entire logistical ecosystem to support them. This infrastructure includes massive, modern ports optimized for container shipping, extensive high-speed rail networks for domestic component transport, dedicated manufacturing zones with reliable utilities, and dense clusters of suppliers. Component manufacturers, mold makers, testing facilities, and assembly plants often exist in close geographic proximity, enabling rapid iteration, troubleshooting, and production scaling — a robust supply chain ecosystem. While extensive, the U.S. infrastructure is geared mainly toward consumer logistics and lacks the hyper-specialized, manufacturing-centric density found in regions like the Pearl River Delta or the Yangtze River Delta. Recreating such an integrated infrastructure in the U.S. would require decades and astronomical investment. Robotics and Automation Adoption Counterintuitively, China is also a leader in manufacturing automation. Facing rising labor costs and striving for higher precision, Chinese manufacturers, often aided by government initiatives, have invested heavily in robotics and advanced manufacturing technologies, rapidly increasing their robot density. They possess the scale for manual assembly when needed and increasingly sophisticated automated lines for high-volume, high-precision tasks. This combination of flexible manual labor capacity and advanced high-precision automation enables Chinese firms to stay competitive across a wide range of manufacturing complexities. While the U.S. has advanced automation capabilities, the scale of deployment within integrated electronics ecosystems lags behind China. Aggressive Government Financial Support The Chinese government has treated the development of its manufacturing sector, especially in strategic areas like electronics, as a national priority. To support this goal, it has provided massive, sustained financial support through various mechanisms: direct subsidies to manufacturers, low-interest loans from state-owned banks, tax incentives, government funding for research and development, land grants, and, sometimes, less tangible benefits like expedited regulatory approvals. This coordinated, long-term state backing created an environment where companies could invest heavily in capacity and technology with reduced financial risk, fostering the sector’s rapid growth. Organizations like the IMF have analyzed this approach as having significant trade implications. Decades-Long Hollowing Out of U.S. Manufacturing The rise of China’s manufacturing prowess coincided with a decades-long decline in U.S. manufacturing capacity, particularly in electronics assembly and component production — excluding some high-end areas like advanced semiconductor design. This wasn’t a sudden collapse but a slow bleed driven by corporations seeking lower production costs and focusing on design, marketing, and software — the higher-margin ends of the value chain. The consequences are profound. Factories closed, equipment was sold off or scrapped, and crucially, entire generations of skilled manufacturing workers retired or moved into other sectors. The intricate networks of specialized suppliers that support complex manufacturing dwindled. Institutional knowledge — the practical expertise in running complex production lines, managing supply chains, and training technicians eroded. Rebuilding this isn’t just about constructing buildings; it’s about resurrecting an entire industrial ecosystem, complete with its human capital and specialized knowledge base. As analysis suggests, millions of jobs were lost over decades. If it took decades to dismantle, it stands to reason that it will take decades to rebuild, assuming the will and resources are consistently available. Immense Hurdles of Rebuilding: Time, Investment, and Policy Even if the U.S. were to embark on a serious reshoring effort, the practical challenges are staggering. Building Takes Time Constructing a large-scale, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, like a modern semiconductor fabrication plant (fab), is a multi-year endeavor. It involves site selection, complex permitting processes (environmental, zoning), massive construction, installation of highly specialized equipment, and rigorous calibration and testing. A single fab can take three to five years or more, from groundbreaking to full production, costing upwards of $15-$20 billion, assuming no significant delays. To make a dent in reshoring electronics, the U.S. would need not just one but dozens of such large facilities, plus countless smaller suppliers — a monumental undertaking spanning decades. Need for Long-Term, Unshakeable Incentives Building these facilities requires colossal capital investment. Companies undertaking such investments need certainty regarding the long-term economic environment to ensure a return on investment. Incentives like tax breaks or tariff relief are often discussed. However, U.S. policy, particularly regarding trade and tariffs, has proven highly volatile, creating uncertainty that disrupts predictability and discourages investment. Tariffs implemented by one administration can be altered or removed by the next or even adjusted month-to-month based on geopolitical shifts or trade negotiations. For a factory with a 10–20-year payback period, the risk that crucial incentives could disappear within a single presidential term is a major deterrent. Investors require policy stability that extends far beyond typical election cycles — something historically difficult to guarantee in the U.S. system. Without credible, long-term, and perhaps even legislatively locked-in incentives, the financial risks of massive reshoring investments are often too high for private companies to bear alone. US Lacks Skilled Labor for Electronics Work Beyond physical infrastructure and policy, there’s the human element. Skills Gap Decades of de-emphasis on manufacturing have led to a significant mismatch between the skills needed for advanced electronics manufacturing and those prevalent in the U.S. workforce. Modern electronics production requires highly skilled technicians proficient in robotics, process control, cleanroom protocols, quality assurance, specialized equipment maintenance, and engineers with deep expertise in manufacturing processes. While the U.S. excels in design and engineering, the pipeline for skilled manufacturing technicians and engineers has shrunk considerably. In contrast, China produces vastly more engineers and technicians annually, many specifically trained for manufacturing roles, although challenges remain in aligning skills with industry needs globally. Rebuilding America’s vocational and technical training systems to meet this demand will require long-term investment and a shift in educational and cultural priorities. Workforce Discrepancy There’s a stark contrast between public sentiment and individual career choices. Surveys consistently show overwhelming public support (around 80%) for bringing manufacturing back to the U.S., a sentiment that holds across party lines and contexts. Yet only 20%–25% say they would consider working in a factory. This disconnect reflects changing career aspirations, perceptions (sometimes outdated, though improving according to some studies) of factory work as monotonous or physically demanding, and the availability of jobs in the service, tech, and gig economies. Even with training programs and improving perceptions, attracting and retaining a sufficient number of workers willing to take on demanding manufacturing roles, potentially at wages that must still compete globally (even with automation), presents a significant social and economic challenge. Catching Up: The Price Tag of Reshoring China’s manufacturing dominance was built on decades of massive, state-directed investment, which created systemic advantages and sometimes led to global overcapacity issues. For the U.S. to catch up, particularly in a mature industry where China already has established economies of scale and integrated ecosystems, the required investment would likely need to be even larger and more sustained. Closing that gap isn’t just about subsidizing factory construction. While initiatives like the CHIPS Act represent important progress, they address only a portion of the broader manufacturing ecosystem. Achieving true competitiveness would require coordinated public and private investment in workforce development, infrastructure, supply chains, and advanced manufacturing capabilities. Sustaining such an effort over decades would demand a level of political consensus and fiscal commitment that is historically difficult to maintain in the U.S. Wrapping Up The desire to reshore electronics manufacturing is understandable and driven by legitimate economic and security concerns. However, the practical realities paint a picture of immense difficulty, particularly in the near term. China’s entrenched advantages in scale, infrastructure, government support, and, increasingly, automation create a formidable barrier. Decades of U.S. manufacturing decline have left deep gaps in physical capacity, supply chains, and skilled human capital. Rebuilding requires not only time — years to build individual plants and decades to reconstruct ecosystems and workforces — but also unprecedented levels of sustained investment and, critically, long-term policy stability that is antithetical to recent U.S. political history. While targeted investments in strategic niches like advanced semiconductors are possible and underway, the wholesale return of the broad electronics manufacturing ecosystem seen in Asia remains, for the foreseeable future, an aspiration facing near-insurmountable obstacles. It’s a multi-decade marathon requiring unwavering national commitment, not a sprint that can be won with short-term policies or wishful thinking. Corleo: Kawasaki’s Hydrogen-Powered Horse Robot Imagine a future where transportation isn’t limited to wheels or wings, but steps confidently over rough terrain. Kawasaki is bringing that vision closer with “Corleo,” a fascinating hydrogen-powered, rideable quadruped robot — essentially, a robotic horse unveiled for Expo 2025 Osaka. This isn’t just science fiction — it’s a glimpse into practical future applications, as seen in Kawasaki’s concept video: Why a robot horse? Think about the advantages. Real horses are incredibly sure-footed and capable of navigating landscapes that would stop most motorcycles or ATVs cold. However, they require significant upkeep — feeding, stabling, and veterinary care — while motorcycles lack that all-terrain agility. Corleo aims for the best of both worlds: the potential sure-footedness of a quadruped — similar to advancements seen in other four-legged robots — combined with the lower maintenance of a machine powered cleanly by a 150cc hydrogen engine that generates electricity for its legs. The potential applications are exciting. Corleo could be invaluable for remote rescue operations. Picture sending a team of these into disaster areas or rugged wilderness where vehicles can’t reach. If developed with autonomous capabilities, Corleo could even venture into dangerous zones alone to locate and extract individuals, minimizing risk to human rescuers. Future Possibilities for Kawasaki’s Robot Horse Beyond rescue, imagine other uses: military transport in challenging environments (effectively bringing back the cavalry, but robotic!), unique, eco-friendly tour vehicles offering silent traversal through nature parks, or even as a fascinating, low-maintenance alternative for someone wanting an exotic pet without the biological demands. What could Corleo evolve into? Perhaps faster, more agile versions, integrated with advanced AI for complex tasks or specialized models for specific industries. It represents a stepping stone toward more versatile and adaptable robotic mobility, though the current capabilities are limited compared to the concept vision. Honestly, forget the sports car — a hydrogen-powered robot horse that can traverse mountains? Now that would make an incredible birthday gift for someone adventurous (hint: my birthday is coming up). Kawasaki’s Corleo isn’t just a robot; it’s a four-legged stride into the future — and my Product of the Week.

You won’t forget to grab this charger on your way out the door—seven LED glow options make sure you can’t miss it. With this deal, get a two-pack of these gorgeous, fast-charging/transferring, six-foot GloBright cords for just $24.99 (reg. $35.98). Practical and prettiful  There’s no reason tech has to come in just dull black or white. Up the vibe of your most utilitarian tool (your charger) when you grab these colorful Statik cords. Check out the seven different RGB colors of the LED lights that will light up any space in a cheerful, bright way. Live life wirelessly even when you’re plugged in, thanks to the 6-foot length. Easily reach the cord to an outlet while scrolling before bed, charging up in the car, or plugging into tech at the office. Durably designed Here’s the tech deets: These 100W cables can charge MacBooks, iPads, iPhones, and Android phones, supporting fast charging for enabled devices. They’re constructed with an exterior braided LED casing on a braided copper cable and zinc alloy housing for a durable build tested to withstand 30,000 bends. Data transfer speeds down the line at 480mb/s, so you can seamlessly access your tunes with Apple CarPlay or transfer important files between laptops. Use the included cable wrap to wind and carefully protect your charge cords from tangling. Stock up on extra chargers that are too bright to ever lose when you grab a two-pack of GloBright 100W USB-C cables for just $24.99. StackSocial prices subject to change. GloBright® 100W Fast Charge USB-C Braided LED Cables – $24.99 See Deal

Skip to content News Climate Hidden Antarctic lakes could supercharge sea level rise Subglacial water may boost sea levels by over 2 meters by 2300 The Antarctic Ice Sheet holds around 90 percent of all ice on Earth. But human-caused climate change is driving it to shed an average of 150 billion metric tons of ice each year, raising sea levels around the world. Mario Tama/Getty Images By Nikk Ogasa 43 seconds ago Beneath the great, white expanse of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, a mysterious realm of streams and lakes lies out of sight. Much about this hidden water world remains poorly understood. But a new study suggests that if scientists continue to overlook it, they might greatly underestimate global sea level rise. Factoring this subglacial water into computer simulations could boost projections of sea level rise over the next two centuries by about two meters, researchers report April 7 in Nature Communications. For context, scientists estimate that climate warming has raised sea levels by about 0.2 meters over the last century. Sign up for our newsletter We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

Nature, Published online: 16 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01003-4Country doubles down on climate pledges in the wake of devastating floods.