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 to research wildfires, from space
Astronauts on the International Space Station will perform experiments for a study led by James Urban, assistant professor in the Department of Fire Protection Engineering. A spacecraft carrying materials for the experiments was launched to the space station in August. Urban studies wildfires and believes the experiments in microgravity will provide insight on non-steady flame behavior and lead to better understanding of how wildfires spread on Earth. The research was featured in Are We There Yet? - The Space Exploration Podcast, Spaceflight Now, Spectrum News 1, Industry Wired, and MassLive.
Robotics engineering professor Markus Nemitz collaborated with Quantum Computing Inc. to integrate a WPI robot with the company’s sensor system to detect landmines. This article profiles the partnership within WPI's ROSE-HUB (Robots and Sensors for Human Well-being), an NSF Industry University Cooperative Research Center site.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration plans award that will see WPI will co-design climate resilience plans in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Global School will also lead knowledge sharing between NOAA climate adaptation partnership teams in the Caribbean and the Northeast.
“There are numerous opportunities for R&D efforts to identify threats against DOD private 5G networks,” Alexander Wyglinski, professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, discusses efforts to secure military communications networks in this article on electronic warfare.
Mimi Sheller, Dean of The Global School, discusses some of the historical and cultural underpinnings behind inequalities in power and mobilities in this podcast exploring Haiti and its future. The podcast is a project of the Knight Foundation Art + Research Center at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami.
"A strike can have a definite and immediate impact on the supply chain," Joseph Sarkis, professor of management in The Business School, explains how supply chain companies, related industries, car shoppers, and people seeking repairs for vehicles may be affected by the United Auto Workers strike in this television interview on NECN.
WBUR reports on the addition of WPI to a federal Wildlife Interdisciplinary Research Center. The work will focus on fire detection models, first responder safety, and wildfire suppression systems.
A NOAA award of nearly $500,000 to The Global School will allow for knowledge transfer and collaborative research concerned with improving community engagement methods for coastal resilience and climate risk reduction.
The Worcester Business Journal reported on the National Science Foundation's adding of Worcester Polytechnic Institute to its Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center, bringing the university on to its collaborative effort between universities and industry leaders to better understand, prevent, and respond to wildfires.
Berk Calli, assistant professor of robotics engineering, was interviewed by The Messenger about whether robots would soon be replacing entry-level restaurant jobs.
David Ortendahl, executive director of corporate partnerships, talked about the upcoming Nature conference at WPI on the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce's Chamber Exchange program.
Imagine flexible 3D-printed robots that can crawl, dive, swim, climb, and operate where humans can't. Robotics & Automation News wrote about robotics engineering professor Markus Nemitz and his work to develop these robots.
Joseph Sarkis, professor of management in The Business School, explains in this WCVB video report, how consumers may be affected by the expanding United Auto Workers strike, which is now targeting parts distribution, in addition to new vehicle manufacturing.
“There is going to be a disruption, and the union has thought through this very carefully.” Management professor Joseph Sarkis, a supply chain expert, discusses how consumers and industries will be affected by the auto workers strike.
A prolonged strike could have consequences, says management professor Joseph Sarkis. He spoke with Spectrum News 1 Worcester about how the UAW strike is affecting supply chains, and how manufacturers in the auto industry are still rebounding from COVID disruptions.
This piece in Tech Briefs highlights the work by Yan Wang, the William Smith Foundation Dean's Professor of Mechanical Engineering, to develop a greener method of manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles.
“These systems have to be ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” Fire protection engineering professor Milosh Puchovsky spoke with the Boston Globe about the importance of standpipes, a type of fire suppression equipment. The Globe’s article analyzes records on standpipe repairs following the failure of a standpipe during a fire at an MBTA station earlier this year.
Farnoush Reshadi, professor of marketing in The Business School, lent expertise for this article on understanding annual percentage rates. She's quoted in a question & answer section that provides insight to help people understand their loans and credit cards.
“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.
Civil, environmental, & architectural engineering professor Mingjiang Tao was interviewed by WBZ-TV for this story on why so many roads were swallowed by sinkholes in recent devastating flooding. Tao explained how soaking rain undermines pavement and how other weather factors like heat waves can put stress on roads.
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.