WPI

🛠️ At the Central MA Regional Clean Energy & Climatetech Workforce Summit is an opportunity to expand your network and learn about MassCEC funding for workforce development programs.

Join us at Worcester Polytechnic Institute on March 13.

Learn more ➡️ masscec.zohobackstage.com/CentralMACle...

College students in Worcester demonstrated the dangers of improper Christmas tree care with a small flame and some tinsel. https://www.wcvb.com/article/wpi-christmas-tree-fire-demo/69626117 

Proud of you all! 🎓

Rev. Dr. Debora Jackson, dean of WPI's business school, talks about paths to leadership As a pastor, a high-tech team manager, and dean of Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Business School, Rev. Dr. Debora Jackson has always traveled a spiritual path.

Rev. Debora Jackson, dean of WPI’s Business School, talks about paths to leadership: bit.ly/3Ewi8Pd. @worcestermagazine.bsky.social

WPI English professor and acclaimed Shakespeare scholar Michelle Ephraim has been named one of two recipients of the Friends of American Writers 2025 Literature Award for her memoir Green World: A Tragicomic Memoir of Love & Shakespeare (University of Massachusetts Press, 2024). bit.ly/3Y1yAOe

WPI researcher receives NSF CAREER Award to create bioadhesives for medical applications A Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) researcher is developing a new class of medical adhesives by bringing together hydrogels and glue-like polymers to safely and reliably connect human tissues to ...

A WPI researcher is developing a new class of medical adhesives by bringing together hydrogels and glue-like polymers to safely and reliably connect human tissues to therapeutic devices implanted in the body, such as pacemakers, insulin pumps, and artificial joints. Learn more: bit.ly/3ReZVsu.

NASA recently started funding a WPI graduate student named Lydia Ellen Tonani-Penha to look into the problem of making drinkable water on Mars under their Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities (NSTGRO) funding program. Learn more about her research here: bit.ly/3FToXL5.

Burn demonstration highlights the difference sprinklers make Fire service leaders and protection experts held a live-fire demonstration in Worcester.

WPI Professor Milosh Puchovsky said there’s data to prove sprinkler systems help save lives.
“If you look at the statistics long term, there's really no fatality in a fully sprinkler building or that system is properly designed and maintained," Puchovsky said. Learn more: bit.ly/3ReIHvn

WPI researcher to explore efficient uranium extraction from industrial wastewater Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 26, 2025 - A Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) professor has secured an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to investigate novel methods for recoverin...

"Being able to extract uranium from uranium-bearing mining wastewater will improve the health of ecosystems while addressing uranium security for the nation's needs," said Xiaowei Teng, the James H. Manning Professor of Chemical Engineering. Learn more: bit.ly/4iNhDPT.

WPI tabbed as one of best values in higher learning, other Worcester schools above average WPI was recognized as one of the best values in higher learning, while other Worcester schools showed above-average ROI for bachelor's degrees.

WPI @wpiedu.bsky.social tabbed as one of best values in higher learning, other Worcester schools above average www.telegram.com/story/news/e... #Worcester #worcesterma #Massachusetts

According to a WPI study, reusing automobile parts, such as engines, transmissions, bumpers, headlights and doors, across different vehicle types to repair vehicles offers environmental benefits & reduces the need for energy-heavy manufacturing processes without sacrificing quality: bit.ly/3FkpQMo.

With federal funding under threat, state leaders launch effort to boost climate tech - The Boston Globe The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has unveiled its “roadmap” for strengthening the state’s position as a climate-tech leader.

With federal funding under threat, state leaders launched a new effort to boost climate tech. The event, held last week at WPI, featured state climate chief Melissa Hoffer and other stakeholders, where the state unveiled its new strategic plan. Read the @bostonglobe.com article: bit.ly/3ERaW01.

WPI Researchers Turn Up the Heat on PFAS with Novel Removal Process Approach removes the “forever chemicals” from wastewater and addresses carbon footprint of wastewater treatment

WPI chemical engineering researchers are turning up the heat on PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals”. They’ve developed a novel process for wastewater treatment that can remove PFAS from sewage sludge and may ultimately generate renewable fuel that could reduce carbon emissions: bit.ly/41kR5iB.

WPI Researchers to Develop Robotic Arm for Wheelchairs Origami-inspired project will create framework for new soft robotics technologies

Inspired by origami, WPI researchers are developing a lightweight, flexible robotic arm that could be mounted on a wheelchair to help users grasp and carry out-of-reach objects. The work is supported by National Science Foundation. Read more: bit.ly/4b4cCiC.

Rust to Rechargeable: How Seawater and Scrap Metal Are Changing Energy Storage In a bold leap toward more sustainable energy storage, researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have discovered a revolutionary battery chemistry powered by chloride ions—the most abundant negat...

Xiaowei Teng, the James H. Manning Professor of Chemical Engineering at WPI, has discovered a new redox chemistry that utilizes chloride ions to advance the development of seawater-based green batteries. Learn more about his innovation here: bit.ly/4b6sQb7.

WPI Attains Designation as an R1 Research University New classification reflects WPI expansion in research spending and PhD education

It’s official! WPI has been designated an R1 university in the Carnegie Classification of U.S. research colleges and universities by @aceducation.bsky.social: Learn all about it here: bit.ly/4hwkFY0.

Online Power Systems Engineering Degree Programs An online master’s in power systems engineering gives a student access to a growing field of study, irrespective of their geography.

Dr. Uzunovic says, "The future of power systems is very green, meaning we are striving to re-make the existing power systems into new, modern ones with a minimal impact on the climate." Learn more about this program and the work being done in this field by WPI faculty and alumni: bit.ly/40GQqq0.

Circular ecosystem vital for better EV recycling - The Engineer New study shows collaboration across the whole EV ecosystem is required to drive more efficient battery and EV recycling

“The scope of materials recovered from spent lithium-ion batteries is broadening,” said study co-author Professor Yan Wang, from WPI’s Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department. Learn more about his innovative work here: bit.ly/415TAVG.

AI Cyber Threat Intelligence Roundup: January 2025 AI threat research is a fundamental part of Cisco’s approach to AI security. Our roundups highlight new findings from both original and third-party sources.

“As researchers from Penn State, Northern Arizona University, WPI, and Carnegie Mellon University demonstrate, the Neural Carrier Activities jailbreak is effective against several frontier models in a black box setting and has a relatively low barrier to entry." Read the article: bit.ly/410JYf9

First-Year Students Explore Artificial Intelligence Great Problems Seminar incorporates critical thinking about AI into curriculum

First-year students are diving right into studying artificial intelligence and its potential, challenges, and societal implications. Two new courses in WPI’s Great Problems Seminar are providing students with opportunities to try out and think deeply about AI tools. Get more info: bit.ly/3ClErq3.

Chinese AI app DeepSeek could be bad for stocks but good for local startups - The Boston Globe Over the weekend, DeepSeek rocketed to the most downloaded position in the app stores of Apple and Google.

Is there an upside to the DeepSeek debut? WPI Prof. Elke Rundensteiner talked to the @bostonglobe.com about the new AI tech’s implications for local spinoffs and startups. Check out the article: bit.ly/3WEx97s.

IYKYK: The secret language of memes | The Mozilla Blog Dr. Erica Brozovsky is a sociolinguist, a public scholar and a lover of words. She is the host of Otherwords, a PBS series on language and linguistics, and

Erica Brozovsky, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Humanities & Arts, authored a piece for The Mozilla Blog which helps tell the history of internet memes. In the piece, Brozovsky outlines how memes represent shared online experiences & human connection. See more at: bit.ly/4jAcAmr.

How professors can foster inclusivity with their syllabus A study from Worcester Polytechnic Institute found students believe their instructors are more inclusive if they include specific features, such as their pronouns and materials from diverse scholars.

A Worcester Polytechnic Institute study found instructors could help create a more inclusive learning environment in STEM courses through tailoring their syllabus to feature elements like materials from diverse scholars and accessibility statements. Learn more: bit.ly/40ED6To

Fire at One of World’s Largest Battery Plants Prompts Evacuations in California Authorities haven’t determined what sparked the blaze.

“Since lithium-ion batteries are a high energy density fuel, there is a possibility of an explosion hazard,” said Ali Rangwala, a professor of fire protection engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. “The plume has a lot of gases that are harmful if inhaled.”: bit.ly/3CwwnCC.

Career prep, mentorship for sustainability-focused students A new initiative at Worcester Polytechnic Institute connects students who are interested in green and sustainable industries with seasoned professionals to provide career development and support.

“Some colleges and universities (including WPI) have increased opportunities for students to learn about climate solutions, encouraging them to get involved in creating a better planet." Learn more about the career prep and mentorship program for students: bit.ly/40mT4kB @insidehighered.com

Fire tornadoes are a risk under California's extreme wildfire conditions The National Weather Service's warning about the “particularly dangerous situation” in which any new fire could explode in size in the Los Angeles area didn’t mention fire tornadoes.

Research suggests fire tornadoes can carry airborne embers, also called firebrands, over long distances, said James Urban, an assistant professor in the Department of Fire Protection Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. They also can change the fire’s behavior, he said. bit.ly/4jhD103

Is there a cost to the stress of being a woman in a STEM field?

WPI Arts & Sciences Dean Jean King will lead a panel this week at the National Academies about the cumulative effects of stress on the body and the brain, particularly among women and communities of color.

Learn more: bit.ly/4jjAaUK

Rong Wang, the new John C. Metzger Jr. Professor and Department Head of Chemistry and Biochemistry at WPI, has deep research experience in the biomedical applications field, including the development of innovative therapies and biosensors. Learn more about her here: bit.ly/4hayM4I.

Learning from California wildfires As conversations about the California wildfires continue across the country, Spectrum News 1 caught up with experts from Clark University and WPI.

As conversations surrounding wildfires on the West Coast continue, Spectrum News 1 asked WPI PhD student Fernando Ebensperger what he's learning from the devastation in California. Read what he had to say: bit.ly/3DUe1Mr.

The Los Angeles wildfires are thousands of miles away, but the science of fighting them happens in Worcester - The Boston Globe Worcester Polytechnic Institute is home to one of the nation’s leading research centers devoted to fires — how they start, how they burn, and how to snuff them out.

3,000 miles from the firestorms ravaging southern Calif., engineers in Worcester, Mass. are lighting their own fires, in an ongoing effort to get ready for the next disaster. Read the
@bostonglobe.com
article featuring WPI's Fire Protection Engineering experts: bit.ly/4gQc3uZ