manufacturing

Naik noted that this innovation has significant implications for industries that generate large amounts of waste heat such as nuclear power plants and manufacturing facilities.

Nuria Espallargas at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and colleagues have developed a silicon carbide-based coating for equipment used in aluminium manufacturing or repair.

"We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars," she said.

Meanwhile, there could be some benefit such as in terms of improving national security by shifting production locations; and if some manufacturing moves to the U.S., automation could offset what would otherwise be higher labor costs, said Daniels.

In some cases, though, companies will be able to absorb tariffs or higher production costs if shifting manufacturing locations.