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WPI launches unique explosion protection program
MassLive published an article and video for its coverage of the university's new explosion protection engineering master's program, the first of its kind in the U.S. Designed amid growing concerns about fire and explosion risk posed by manufacturing facilities and advancing technologies like electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cells, the new program builds on WPI’s esteemed legacy in fire protection engineering, which has been at the forefront of fire safety education and research since its inception in 1978.
“Our analysis finds polystyrene to be an ideal candidate for a chemical recycling process.” – Professor Michael Timko on the study he authored with colleagues from the Department of Chemical Engineering and the University of Bath. The analysis found a simple and scalable technology could increase the viability of recycling products like food packaging and packing peanuts. WPI authors include Professor Nikolaos Kazantzis and PhD students Elizabeth Belden (’24) and Madison Reed. This analysis was also reported on in Plastics Today, Recycling Today, and The Business Magazine.
Analysis from researchers in the Department of Chemical Engineering and at the University of Bath suggests a new approach could dramatically increase the amount of polystyrene recycled. Their paper in the Chemical Engineering Journal finds a simple process combining pyrolysis and distillation has the potential to be a scalable, cost- and energy-efficient method of transforming old into new when it comes to polystyrene. WPI researchers include professors Michael Timko and Nikolaos Kazantzis and PhD students Elizabeth Belden (’24) and Madison Reed.
Angela C. Incollingo Rodriguez, assistant professor of Psychological & Cognitive Sciences and Neuroscience, talked with Self Magazine for an article about how pregnancy can impact body image. She noted that pregnancy content on social media tends to skew toward what we look like versus what we feel like, even if what you're seeing isn't overtly talking about appearance.
Natalie Farny, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology and Biotechnology, has received funding from the National Science Foundation to advance the use of bacteria in the cleanup of contaminated soil. Farny will study how a critical biological process regulates genes in bacteria as they adapt to conditions outside of laboratories.
Graduate students Camila Gomez and Muhammad Hassan Dajana, in the Community Climate Adaptation program, are exploring historical data on winter storms, climate projections, and surveying Worcester residents to identify winter weather impacts and potential vulnerabilities. Their project with the City of Worcester's Department of Sustainability and Resilience seeks to identify recommendations to support winter climate adaptation and resilience in Worcester.
Ephraim, professor of English in the Department of Humanities & Arts, was interviewed about her book Green World, that details her quest to become a Shakespeare scholar.
More than a thousand students got their degrees from WPI during commencement ceremonies at the DCU Center. President Grace Wang urged graduates to dream boldly. Read more in The Worcester Guardian.
Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated. Xiaoyan (Sherry) Sun, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science, discusses how managed detection and response combines technology and human expertise to approach cybersecurity risks. Learn more in this article from Techopedia.
The class of 2024 was celebrated at commencement ceremonies at the DCU Center. "Today's commencement is especially meaningful," said President Grace J. Wang. "The global pandemic kept many of you from having an in-person high school graduation ceremony. It's truly a joy and honor to celebrate our graduates in person, together." Graduates included the first cohort of WPI's Great Minds/CoMPASS Scholar Program. It supports low-income, academically talented, first-generation students from Worcester Public Schools.
Among the nearly 1,200 undergraduate students who celebrated their commencement Friday, ten were part of the first Great Minds/CoMPASS Scholars Program. The scholarship program is for first-generation students from Worcester Public Schools and provides orientation and support throughout the students' time at WPI.
WHDH-TV aired video of Bella, the WPI police department's explosives sniffing K-9, walking across the stage at commencement in recognition of her retirement following 8 years of service to the campus community. Video of the celebratory moment was also aired by WCVB-TV.
Bella, the WPI police department's explosives-sniffing K-9 was honored at commencement ceremonies upon her retirement following eight years of service to the campus community and in assistance to Massachusetts State Police and other authorities at major public events.
Ten alumni of Worcester Public Schools will graduate as WPI's first cohort of students in a scholarship program designed to financially, academically, and emotionally support students with holistic, intentional, and research-backed programming to propel students from marginalized and disadvantaged backgrounds to be successful STEM professionals.
Yan Wang, the William B. Smith Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, was named to the Boston Globe’s Tech Power Players 50 list. Wang was recognized for his pioneering work to recycle lithium-ion batteries and to build cleaner li-ion batteries with improved performance.
A new agreement with Quinsigamond Community College will expand pathways for transfer students, enhancing the partnership between the institutions, with a goal of preparing more people for the STEM workforce through education and training.
Jenn Parissi-Forti, director of presidential and institutional events, talked with the Worcester Telegram & Gazette about WPI's Commencement ceremonies, being held for the first time this year at the DCU Center.
A lithium-metal battery manufacturer plans to fund a new research initiative led by Professor Yan Wang to develop a recycling technology for lithium-metal batteries. Wang is the William B. Smith Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering.
Students were honored with the prestigious award that recognizes undergraduates who demonstrated outstanding work in all three of their required projects for graduation.
Phishing attacks are an increasing concern. What do you need to know? Patrick Schaumont, professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, offers insight in this Techopedia article.