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.
Do you know how quickly a Christmas tree can burn and what measures you can take to prevent this type of fire from happening in your home? Every year, WPI’s student chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers conducts a tree burn demonstration in a laboratory in the Department of Fire protection Engineering to educate students and the public on the dangers and dynamics of Christmas tree fires. The event highlights fire prevention and safety measures during the holiday season and highlights the hands-on learning opportunities available to students in WPI’s fire protection engineering program.
Peter Hansen, a mountaineering expert and professor of history and director of International and Global Studies at WPI, spoke to the BBC’s The Forum podcast about the history of mountain climbing dating back to the 1300s. Hansen, author of several books on mountaineering, including “The Summits of Modern Man: Mountaineering after the Enlightenment,” gave important insight into the role climbing has played in society’s ever-changing relationship with nature.
“If you’ve got a thousand computers, that’s going to take somebody a while to do.” Craig Shue, head of WPI’s computer science department discussed the recovery work facing organizations affected by a global technology outage. Professor Shue provided analysis on the outage’s effects and on cybersecurity software for an article in The Boston Globe.
Computer Science Department Head Craig Shue helps explain a global technology outage that resulted from a CrowdStrike software update. "It is an ‘all our eggs are in one basket’ situation,” he told The Associated Press.
EdTech Digest reported on federal efforts to support developers of educational technology and provide essential information regarding artificial intelligence. The article credits Neil Heffernan, the William Smith Dean's Professor of Computer Science and the director of the Learning Sciences and Technologies Program, with contributing ideas for translating Department of Education recommendations for AI in education into practical guidelines.
David Ibbett, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Humanities & Arts, was featured in The Boston Globe for an article about composers who translate science into musical scores. Ibbett's "Mars Symphony" is being performed this summer at the Museum of Science in Boston
Professors Michael Timko and Alex Maag in the Department of Chemical Engineering have received funding from the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative to support their efforts to reduce plastic waste by converting mixed plastics and films into chemicals. The funding award was reported on in this article in Recycling Today, and also in articles in Waste Today, the Worcester Business Journal, and MassLive.
Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative grants will support research efforts at WPI involving the departments of chemical engineering and mechanical & materials engineering. One grant will see AM Batteries collaborate with WPI on battery material research. Another grant will allow WPI researchers to develop a process to convert plastic waste into valuable chemicals.
“When you move your IT infrastructure to the cloud, suddenly you’re in a place that is shared with a bunch of other people, and it becomes much trickier… There are many more ways in which potential attacks can be done.” Professor Patrick Schaumont in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering provided analysis for The New York Times on the AT&T breach involving the data of more than 100 million phone customers. He discussed the potential risks of shared IT infrastructure in the cloud. The article also appeared in MSN.
"These call logs reveal social and/or professional networks of people." Electrical & computer engineering professor Patrick Schaumont explains the security concerns raised by a data breach affecting millions of AT&T customers. His analysis was featured in a CBS News article that was re-published in yahoo! News and AOL.
Eurogamer recently reviewed a new escape room called Memoirscape, which was created as part of a design of interactive experiences course. The immersive narrative experience provides an opportunity for participants to let curiosity guide them and notice the narrative unfold, rather than rush to escape.
An agreement will offer guaranteed admission to WPI for Quinsigamond Community College students who meet program requirements. "By establishing pathways that reduce barriers and offer built-in support, we make obtaining a four-year degree more accessible for QCC students. Moreover, the strategic partnership between QCC and WPI will help meet today’s workforce demands and foster regional economic growth," said President Grace Wang.
WPI has formed a new partnership with Manchester Community College in New Hampshire to support expanded pathways for students to transfer to WPI and increase access to STEM education. The agreement will guarantee admissions to WPI for MCC students who meet program requirements. The transfer agreement was reported on by the Worcester Business Journal and WBUR radio.
WPI chemical engineering researchers are working to find ways to recycle more polystyrene – a common product packaging material you may know as Styrofoam. Their analysis of the potential for a chemical recycling process is featured in yahoo! News
Have you ever wondered what Mars sounds like? Visiting assistant teaching professor David Ibbett in the Department of Humanities & Arts composed the Mars Symphony. Three performances are scheduled at the Museum of Science, Boston this summer. He spoke with The Boston Globe about the sonification of science and this joint project with the Museum of Science and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He also discussed the composition on WGBH's The Culture Show podcast and the CultureLab podcast from New Scientist.
WPI will launch a new initiative to increase access to off-campus project-based learning experiences through the Global Projects Program, with funding from a State Department IDEAS grant. The effort will focus on students with disabilities. The project, led by the Global Experience Office in collaboration with the Office of Accessibility Services, is highlighted in this UPI news report.
How might nuclear energy fit into Massachusetts’ climate goals? Professor Derren Rosbach of The Global School shared analysis on the topic with the Telegram & Gazette and discussed his research with Professor David Medich on next generation nuclear microreactors.
To celebrate 40 years since the origination of Tetris, WPI is hosting a retro Tetris display featuring the classic Nintendo Entertainment System version. People are invited to play the game, which is featured in the Gordon Library's exhibit “Video Game Console Wars 1976-2001,” which showcases the work and interests of WPI’s Interactive Media Archive and Interactive Media & Game Development Department.
ISS Source wrote about Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) researcher and assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Shahin Tajik, who just received a CAREER Award of $594,081 by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to look at ways to protect computer hardware from attacks.
WPI is working with partners on a project to allow for the 3D printing of the Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP), a kit that makes it possible for novice engineers to build and program a simple, powerful, and affordable robot. A goal of this partnership is to expand exposure to robotics in classrooms across New England.
TechCodex wrote about the National Science Foundation grant that Shahin Tajik, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, received to expand his research into hardware security, a field that focuses on physical threats to computing systems that attackers can hijack by tampering with chips, motherboards, and other electronic components traveling through global supply chains.
