Note: Some media outlets require users to log-in. The Gordon Library offers the WPI community free access to a number of newspapers. Visit newspaper database for details.
WPI’s undergraduate degree in artificial intelligence infuses applications across disciplines, ethics, and workforce demand. Elke Rundensteiner, founding head of AI and data science programs, spoke with WBUR about the AI program which offers students the chance to learn hands-on how to apply AI in specialized areas of concentration they choose.
Robotics engineering student Antonio Marzoratti has been named one of Boston Business Journal’s 25 Innovators Under 25. Marzoratti co-founded a company that is developing an attachment that converts a traditional wheelchair into an electric one for improved mobility. He and his team work closely with WPI’s i3 Lab, finding support and mentorship in the university’s hub for student innovation and entrepreneurship.
A classic treat from the past is getting an update and a relaunch. Purvi Shah, an associate professor of marketing in The Business School, studies how nostalgia factors into company brand decisions and consumer sentiment. TheStreet highlighted Shah’s research in an article on the new menu item at Friendly’s that taps into history.
International Business Times and Interesting Engineering reported on research from the Department of Chemical Engineering which demonstrates the potential of bamboo as a sustainable fuel source. A team led by Michael Timko, the William B. Smith Professor of chemical engineering and head of the department, combined laboratory experiments and economic and environmental modeling to demonstrate cost, emissions, and land-use benefits of bamboo-based fuel production compared to petroleum-based fuels.
Spectrum News/NECN reported on a WPI-led demonstration of how lithium batteries can enter thermal runaway when they are damaged, poorly manufactured, overcharged, or overused. Several members of the Worcester Fire Department attended the live demo to better understand the warning signs, risks, and precautions consumers should understand when purchasing, charging, and storing battery-powered technology.
Higgins House has a fascinating history, endless architectural details, and an important place in campus life. The Telegram & Gazette has named our beloved Tudor-style mansion a “Worcester County Wonder.” Gillian McCuistion, institute and outreach initiatives archivist, and Dillon Bresnahan, a senior in WPI’s Student Alumni Society, shared some of the building’s history and modern uses for a feature article.
Alexander Smith, associate professor of economics in the Department of Social Science and Policy Studies, provided expert commentary for a MarketWatch article on a growing trend in prediction market platforms: wagering on reality TV and entertainment.
The process of filing for a refund of value-added taxes can be confusing, but it could save international travelers money. The New York Times called on Alexander Smith, associate professor of economics in the Department of Social Science and Policy Studies, to help explain how VAT refunds work, how the process can vary by country, and how people might decide if seeking a refund is worth the effort.
Google is exploring the possibility of putting artificial intelligence data centers in space. A rocket launch has cleared the way for early-stage testing with four processors. For an article in Scientific American, Alexander Wyglinski, professor of electrical and computer engineering, discussed the advantages and challenges associated with deploying data center technology in orbit.
How is inflation changing the way people spend and make decisions about money? For an article in MarketWatch, Alexander Smith, associate professor of economics in the Department of Social Science and Policy Studies, discussed the disproportionate impact of persistent inflation on lower-income households.
Alexander Smith, associate professor of economics in the Department of Social Science and Policy Studies, provided analysis for a MarketWatch article on investment trends among younger Americans. Smith, who researches behavioral economics and speaks to college students around the country about financial literacy and money management, shared his expertise on factors that can lead to people making riskier decisions with money.
Solomon Mensah, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, was featured in coverage by Worcester Business Journal regarding his receipt of a National Institutes of Health award. The funding will support research experiences for undergraduate students investigating how sepsis-related inflammation triggers blood clots that can block blood vessels and cause strokes.
A new National Science Foundation-funded program will provide scholarships and mentoring with the goal of improving retention and graduation rates of low-income students in several fields.
Joseph Sarkis, an expert in supply chains and a professor of management in The Business School, was featured in a report from the public media outlet Marketplace, which aired on National Public Radio stations around the country. Sarkis provided an interview to help explain some of the reasons why U.S. imports have been rising.
Rodica Neamtu, professor of teaching in the Department of Computer Science, spoke with NBC Boston for its coverage of recent warnings about potential risks associated with artificial intelligence technology. Neamtu shared her thoughts on the importance of making sure humans stay in the loop in AI development and deployment and for everyone to be educated about how AI works.
The Worcester Guardian reported on the awarding of National Science Foundation CAREER Awards to Fatemeh Ganji, associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Fanglin Che, associate professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering. Ganji's research will focus on cybersecurity to protect privacy on AI devices. Che's work will focus on using AI and data-driven simulation to optimize catalytic reactions during carbon dioxide capture and electrochemical conversion.
Stephen Kmiotek, professor of practice in the Department of Chemical Engineering and faculty member in the university's explosion protection engineering program, provided analysis for an Associated Pressarticle detailing historical safety records at a mill where a chemical tank imploded in May.
Kwamie Dunbar, interim dean of The Business School, spoke with Livability.com for an article highlighting how WPI's academic programs, including AI and financial technology, and interdisciplinary approach help prepare students for evolving careers and support regional workforce development.
Engineering drawings can provide critical insight into whether a building’s structural supports match the intended design. In The New York Times article, WPI Dean of Engineering Dan Linzell explains what the drawings reveal about missing or partial-length reinforcing steel plates in a Manhattan high-rise.
The university has established an academic partnership with Worcester State University that seeks to expand access to engineering education and support regional workforce development. The agreement will grant Worcester State students who complete a pre-engineering curriculum and meet academic requirements transfer admission to WPI to complete their engineering degrees.
Alexander Smith, associate professor of economics in the Department of Social Science and Policy Studies, shared insights with WalletHub for an article that explains the personal finance trend of loud budgeting, how it can be effective in controlling spending, and its potential drawbacks.
