Professor Hyers works at the interface between computers and the physical world. His most recent applications are in high-temperature materials and high-temperature materials processing systems. His recent projects include model-based experiments on the Space Station including magnetohydrodynamic effects on nucleation and solidification, novel methods for measurement of properties of matter at high temperature, scale-up of a novel metallurgical process by 1000X, and a novel approach to thermal management in spacecraft propulsion.

He has extensive experience with startup companies, entrepreneurship, and innovation. His experience includes founding companies, co-founding an educational program in entrepreneurship and innovation which grew to over 200 students per semester, and leading a privately-funded industrial startup for three years.

Professor Hyers joined WPI in 2023 as Department Head for Mechanical & Materials Engineering after serving on the faculty of the University of Massachusetts from 2002-2022. He is currently the owner of RHA Materials, LLC, a company specializing in consultation and contract research on high-temperature materials and materials processing for clients in the aerospace and extractive industries.