The Research & Development Tax Credit
Enacted in 1981, the federal Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit allows a credit of up to 13 percent of eligible spending for new and improved products and processes. Qualified research must meet the following four criteria:
- New or improved products, processes, or software
- Technological in nature
- Elimination of uncertainty
- Process of experimentation
Eligible costs include employee wages, cost of supplies, cost of testing, contract research expenses, and costs associated with developing a patent. On December 18, 2015, President Obama signed the bill making the R&D Tax Credit permanent. Beginning in 2016, the R&D credit can be used to offset Alternative Minimum tax and startup businesses can utilize the credit against $250,000 per year in payroll taxes.
Saint-Gobain
Saint-Gobain, a French multinational corporation, entered a partnership with Impulse Labs, a business incubator which has helped Saint-Gobain expand. Since beginning their partnership in 2015, Impulse Labs has helped Saint-Gobain specialize in digital construction, construction and energy, well-being through property, social housing and infrastructures and mobility uses. Through Impulse Labs, Saint-Gobain recently worked with XtreeE, a startup that designed a 3D printer specializing in using concrete to create intricate architecture. By using an XtreeE printer at one of their civil sites, Saint-Gobain has shown the world they are ready to embrace the future of construction technology.
MIT
Researchers at MIT have developed a system that can 3D print a basic building in just 14 hours. MIT calls this system “Digital Construction Platform“. It is designed to be fully automatic but currently requires human interaction for safety reasons. The whole machine can be powered by electricity or through solar panels. This technology could lead to faster, less expensive and more adaptable construction than ever before. The flexible nature of the machine can create an object to any specification compared to traditional 3D printers. MIT researchers say their goal is to get their system to the developing word or disaster relief areas to provide quick shelter.
Apis Cor
Wyss Institute
3D Print Canal House
Conclusion
3D printed buildings are built faster and cost less than traditional buildings. The significant decrease of cost and time to build a simple home, with adequate insulation, could be the solution for ending homelessness in impoverished areas. Using these revolutionary 3D printers, buildings can be made to any specification and will allow architects to have more freedom when designing their projects. All of these technological developments could lead to a boom in the construction industry and provide safe homes for millions of people.
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Charles Goulding of R&D Tax Savers discusses 3D printed buildings and insulation.