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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.
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.
Yan Wang, the William Smith Foundation Dean's Professor in the Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, was interviewed by MassLive about the growth and future manufacturing trends in the electric battery industry. The article highlights the work done by Wang's lab at WPI to develop a process for lithium-ion battery recycling.
New Energy and Fuel reported on James H. Manning professor of chemical engineering Xiaowei Teng's research into how chloride ions from seawater could be used to fuel batteries of the future.
Lora Brueck, longtime librarian and WPI's first official archivist, now retired, will be honored by the organization ArtsWorcester. This article in the Telegram & Gazette, which also appeared in Worcester Magazine, details Brueck's volunteer work to advance the arts and the work she did at WPI to open the library's exhibition spaces to area artists.
Humanities & arts professor Yunus Telliel was a guest on Radio Boston for a discussion on artificial intelligence. He shared insight on regulations surrounding the technology and the ethical questions we should be asking about A.I. "At the center of this conversation is what does it mean to be human," Telliel said. "The deeper question is not about A.I. It's about us."
Research by professor of biology & biotechnology Inna Nechipurenko was featured in this Worcester Business Journal article. The professor's research focuses on the mysteries of tiny cellular structures and how they affect the development of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Social science and policy studies associate professor Erin Ottmar spoke with CBS Boston about how changes to spacing and color could make algebra easier.
Michael Ahern, instructor, and recently retired Director of Power Systems at WPI, provided analysis for an Associated Press report on the presence of uninsulated electrical wires in Maui before the devastating wildfires. The reporting on power line infrastructure and questions about the source of the fires was republished by hundreds of outlets including the Los Angeles Times, PBS NewsHour, Chicago Tribune, Yahoo! News, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and Politico.
Brajendra Mishra, the Kenneth G. Merriam Professor of Mechanical & Materials Engineering and the Director of the Metals Processing Institute at WPI, is prominently quoted in this Science article which looks at the growing global problem of what to do with red mud, one of the most abundant industrial wastes on the planet. "The composition of [red mud] varies so much it means one [type of solution] will not work," says Mishra.
Spectrum News 1 Worcester captured the sights and sounds of the traditional new student crossing of the Earle Bridge. The coverage was part of a story on the economic impact of colleges in Worcester.
A WPI course on artificial intelligence and academic writing makes a Telegram & Gazette list of interesting and unusual classes offered at area colleges this fall.
Fire protection engineering professors Albert Simeoni and James Urban were quoted in a Reuters Fact Check article on the dynamics of the devastating fires in Hawaii. They explain how wildfires spread and why some things in a burned area avoid damage when so much else is destroyed.
Agence France-Presse interviewed Purvi Shah, professor at The Business School, about the phenomenon behind the recent resurgence of items such as Barbie, Furbies, and Grimace. Shah has done extensive research in this area, even coining the term "nostalgic brand love", which is a main driver behind the newfound popularity. The original article was published in French and widely circulated to English media outlets such as MSN and Barron's.
Global health professor Tsitsi B. Masvawure provided analysis for this WalletHub article on uneven and lagging efforts in the U.S. to address gender inequality. She points out reasons why the country ranks poorly on many health metrics used to measure gender gaps.
Computer science professor Neil Heffernan spoke with Government Technology about the public discussion over regulations of artificial intelligence. He explained why regulations could stifle research and development and lead to monopolization.
Fire protection engineering professor Albert Simeoni was cited in the Agence France-Presse (AFP) Fact Check section about speculation surrounding the cause of the deadly Maui fire.
Simeoni stated, “You had all the conditions -- the fuel, the heat, the wind and the ignition sources -- to create a catastrophe.”
Research co-led by mathematical science professor Mayer Humi was featured in the Universe Today article. Humi developed the math models that shows an optimal trajectory that places the shuttle into an elliptical orbit and minimizes the thrust requirements. “This type of shuttle and trajectory, said Humi, is needed for any plans to establish a permanent Human presence on the Moon, but could also lead to a thriving Earth-Moon economy.”