In the News

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This Master’s in AI Program Is a Cross-University Collaboration. Here’s How Students Will Learn.

Elke Rundensteiner, the William Smith Dean's Professor of Computer Science and founding head of the WPI data science program, spoke with BestColleges about the university's new master's degree in artificial intelligence

Worcester Business Journal

“When engineering meets art, there are a lot of interesting ideas.” Civil, environmental & architectural engineering professor Shichao Liu detailed how faculty at the university are teaching the skills needed to build for climate change. In this Worcester Business Journal article, he also outlined how buildings are being designed with decarbonization and resiliency in mind.

Telegram.com

A hot week forced schools to make changes. How does a hot classroom affect learning? Research from Shichao Liu, professor of civil, environmental, and architectural engineering, shows an impact when the room temperature hits a certain point. He provided comments and expertise for this story in the Telegram & Gazette.

CBS Boston

Hot weather can make learning a challenge. Civil, environmental, and architectural engineering professor Shichao Liu shared his research on heat and learning with WBZ, Boston's CBS News station. Liu says reasoning performance and memory function can drop when classroom temperatures rise.

MSN

Civil, environmental, & architectural engineering professor Shichao Liu shared expertise on how to keep cool indoors during hot weather, without putting undue strain on an air conditioning system.

WBUR 90.9

Turning your thermostat to a low temperature could wear down your air conditioner and won’t cool down your home any faster. Civil, environmental, & architectural engineering professor Shichao Liu explained some best practices for staying cool to WBUR.

The Washington Post

Civil, environmental, & architectural engineering professor Shichao Liu was interviewed by The Washington Post on the hot weather gripping much of the United States. He explained why setting your thermostat to a lower temperature than normal when it’s very hot outside will not provide any additional cooling.

Mass Live

The recent presence of wildfire smoke in the air has caused harmful air pollution. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering assistant professor Shichao Liu explained to MassLive why future wildfires could pose an even greater danger to air quality if the smoke arrives during hotter weather.

NECN

Smoke from wildfires can be dangerous, especially to people with certain health conditions. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering assistant professor Shichao Liu studies indoor air quality. He spoke with NECN about how smoke particles can get into buildings and affect health.

WBUR 90.9

Assistant professor Shichao Liu, in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, warns that the thick wildfire smoke over much of the east coast is not just an outdoor air quality issue. He spoke with WBUR about how harmful particles can seep into homes and offered advice on steps people can take to protect themselves indoors.

Boston Herald

WPI research on wildfires includes how smoke plumes affect indoor air quality. Assistant professor Shichao Liu explained to the Boston Herald why wildfire smoke does not stop at a building’s doors and windows. The story was also published in The Lowell Sun and The Sentinel & Enterprise.

Spectrum News 1

WPI assistant professor Shichao Liu studies indoor air quality. As wildfire smoke blankets Worcester and much of the U.S., health officials have urged people to stay indoors. Liu explained to Spectrum News 1 how smoke particles can infiltrate buildings and how people can stay safe indoors.

Boston 25

Boston 25 (Fox) News interviewed Shichao Liu, assistant professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering, (18:24:31 mark) for a report on energy saving homes. “If you think about energy consumption reduction in the future to save the planet, then we have to look at the consumption by buildings. Using passive house standards, we can significantly reduce energy consumption by buildings.”

WBUR 90.9

WBUR spoke with Shichao Liu, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, about his work on how the novel coronavirus global pandemic is affecting stress in college students and their ability to learn in remote settings.

Worcester Business Journal

The Worcester Business Journal reported on WPI receiving a $199,999 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study how the novel coronavirus global pandemic is affecting stress in college students and their ability to learn in remote settings.

Forbes

Forbes reported online about research led by Shichao Liu to study the optimal indoor conditions for learning. Liu, Jacob Whitehill and Steven Van Dessel received $299,991 develop technologies that detect and boost student engagement in lessons by controlling classroom temperature, ventilation, and lighting.