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Examining Cultural Resilience to Climate Change in the Kamand Valley
No full textThis Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) explored how farming communities in Kamand Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India, are adapting to the growing impacts of climate change through both practical strategies and cultural resilience. By conducting twenty-one semi- structured interviews with local farmers and agricultural advisors in villages such as Kamand, Salgi, and Keylong, firsthand accounts were gathered of changing weather patterns, crop challenges, and adaptive responses. The team’s findings reveal a blend of traditional and modern approaches currently being employed. Farmers are currently adapting by shifting crop cycles, while also maintaining ritualistic practices and preserving intergenerational knowledge. These stories highlighted that resilience to climate change is not only technical in nature, but deeply cultural as well. This project emphasizes the importance of understanding local experiences in order to inform future adaptation efforts, blending scientific insight with lived human realities
Preparing the Mini Sapin Decorative Tree for Product Launch
No full textAu Grain de Sésame (AGS), works to increase the financial stability of women in Morocco by expanding and stabilizing employment in artisanal cooperatives. We helped the cooperative Ennajah to improve their newest product, the Mini Sapin, a biodegradable holiday tree alternative for launch. We collaborated with the cooperative members to construct prototypes to improve the stability and durability of the tree, whilst enhancing the use of local, biodegradable materials within the product. The team also made prototypes of the tree’s packaging that cut shipping costs in half. To market this product and increase sales, the team recommends that AGS expand their online presence and develop e-commerce. We believe the Mini Sapin is ready for production based on the success of the prototypes
Trump's America & the Environment
No full textThis research analyzes U.S. political developments under the new Trump administration for the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research, focusing on environmental policy and forecasting future policy trajectories. We analyzed scholarly articles, press accounts, and conducted expert interviews to develop four policy briefs on Trump’s Policy Making Process, Trump’s Anti-Environmental Approach, NGOs Response to Trump and Industry’s Reaction to Trump. Our findings highlight the expansion of executive power, environmental deregulation, NGOs taking action through legal battles or state legislature, and industries expressing concern over policy uncertainty. We assess Trump’s alignment with the Project 2025 blueprint and emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to environmental protection despite shifting U.S. priorities
The Benefits of Early Life Cycle Cost Analysis for Military Acquisition Programs
No full textThe desire for nations to achieve a competitive advantage on modern battlefields encourages investment in the development, procurement, fielding and sustainment of military weapon systems. The ability for a nation to acquire weapon systems “faster, cheaper, better” provides a national security competitive advantage. There are many engineering activities which must be well coordinated to realize these systems, cost analysis is one of these many actions. The consensus among systems engineering researchers and practitioners is that life cycle cost analysis should occur as early as possible within the system life cycle. The earlier within the concept stage of system design, the greater the associated uncertainty is with respect to life cycle cost estimates. System engineers must find the appropriate points within early system development to conduct life cycle cost analysis that simultaneously aid decision making while not impeding the completion of the conceptual design process. Early cost estimates promote managerial understanding of tradeoffs within development while also enabling life cycle cost oversight and portfolio management by senior leaders. The later in the system life cycle that systems are deemed unaffordable, the greater the quantity of resources unavailable for other budget needs as well as the loss of time to deliver the capability that the unaffordable system was intended to fulfill. Furthermore, the full cost performance of an acquisition program, partially indicated by falling under the Nunn-McCurdy breach threshold, relates to the amount of cost modeling done at the earliest stages of conceptual design. Any mandate to estimate life cycle cost at these early stages of concept design is often perceived as difficult and impractical. Therefore, the introduction of automated tools to support life cycle costing early in a program can improve program outcomes. The analysis investigated the prediction of cost performance (response) using 52 independent (explanatory) variables derived from historical military program data. Following the investigation of several methods, a final logistic regression model containing seven explanatory variables deemed relevant to life cycle cost estimation is recommended. From the modeling effort, this work specifies both program and policy level action and demonstrates how fostering the development of life cycle cost analysis tools within early conceptual engineering design increases the ability to make affordability determinations earlier in the life cycle. Early life cycle cost measures were found predictive of program breach showing that the omission of this information has detrimental effect on early program knowledge and potential decisions. This research highlights the contradictions in current military acquisition policy which simultaneously promote both early and delayed cost analysis. The research promotes earlier life cycle cost activities, prioritization of early systems engineering activities and the development of systems engineering tool sets capable of integrating early life cycle cost estimation with conceptual engineering design
School of Engineering Newsletter, Winter 2025
No full textBi-weekly email newsletter for undergraduate and graduate students created by WP
Adsorption Method for Gadolinium Species Differentiation
No full textGadolinium, a rare earth element (REE), is commonly used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) as a gadolinium based contrast agent (GBCAs). The steadily increasing use of MRIs and GBCAs has put more anthropogenic gadolinium in wastewater, enough that gadolinium is considered a micropollutant. Currently, there is not a standardized removal process for gadolinium implemented in wastewater treatment plants, which could remediate gadolinium as a contaminant altogether. This study examines the potential of adsorping gadolinium to activated carbon with the ultimate goal of large-scale gadolinium removal implementation by varying conditions and concentrations of activated carbon, organic gadolinium, and inorganic gadolinium Three types of activated carbon were tested, two powdered and one granular, for their adsorption capacities and removal efficiencies. An inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrophotometer was used to quantify the amount of gadolinium after the adsorption and filtration processes.The powdered activated carbons demonstrated higher adsorption capacities in comparison to the granular activated carbon, but the powdered activated carbon’s dust and non-regenerative properties make these carbons more fit for batch and small scale experiments. Contrarily, granular activated carbon shows promise for sustainable, large scale application but further research and testing must be conducted. We recommend additional testing varying the activation time on both smaller and larger scales in order to gain a fuller understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of powdered and granular activated carbon
Advancing Humanoid Robots: Development of Balancing and Assisted Walking Along With Improved Hardware
No full textThis project marks the latest iteration of WPI’s endeavor to design a reliable, open-source, 3D-printed humanoid robot, named Ava. Our team aimed to improve the assisted walking and self-balancing capabilities through sensor integration, control methods, and mechanical redesigns. We introduced new hardware and software systems, including a multiple Inertial Measurement Unit feedback system and thin-film pressure sensors for real-time posture correction. We transitioned from joint-space to task-space trajectory generation using Inverse Kinematics for Python, allowing for refined end-effector control. We also worked on a Model Predictive Control framework based on a Linear Inverted Pendulum Model that can anticipate and adjust Ava’s movements dynamically. In CoppeliaSim, Ava demonstrated improved dynamic stability, showcasing waving and squatting motions while balancing. In real life, Ava successfully demonstrated balancing through squatting and waving routines. These developments represent a significant step toward unassisted humanoid walking, laying the groundwork for more advanced bipedal behaviors in future iterations
Micro Rover for Mars Ice Core Sample Extraction
No full textThe Micro Rover for Mars Ice Core Sample Extraction project focuses on the design, fabrication, and testing of a small, low-power rover capable of extracting and storing ice core samples. Ice deposits on Mars hold valuable scientific data on the planet’s climate history and potential for sustaining future human exploration. However, retrieving these samples presents significant technical challenges due to extreme environmental conditions, terrain obstacles, and energy constraints. This project aimed to develop a proof-of-concept prototype demonstrating key capabilities in mobility, autonomous navigation, drilling, and sample collection. The ideal rover design features a six-wheel rocker-bogie suspension system, a RANCOR drill system, and a complex tray for ice core storage. Our team focused on developing and testing a functional prototype to refine the mechanical and electrical subsystems. Results indicate that the proposed rover design is feasible for Mars-based ice core extraction, though further refinements—such as improved energy efficiency and sample storage mechanisms—are needed for a fully operational system. This work contributes to the advancement of robotic exploration technologies and lays the groundwork for future Mars sample return missions
Renovation of the Third Floor of Higgins House
No full textThe proposed renovation of the third floor of Higgins House at Worcester Polytechnic Institute aims to enhance accessibility, public safety, and efficiency while preserving the historic character of the estate. The project addresses the inadequacies through the proposal of an elevator, a system tie-in for a fire suppression system for the third floor, an enhanced mechanical and HVAC system, electrical, plumbing, increased working spaces, and a proposed construction schedule and cost estimate. The methodology included archival research, structural analysis, interviews, and collaboration with BIMstream for LiDAR scanning and digital twin modeling
IQP - Evaluating Quality of Experience Factors in Cloud Gaming through a First Person Shooter Game
No full textNewer computer games require significantly more powerful hardware to run, requiring more expensive computers for players. Cloud gaming is a technology that allows users to stream games from remote servers, removing the need for expensive hardware by the player. While promising, cloud gaming is vulnerable to issues like latency and reduced bandwidth, which can negatively affect player experience. This project examines the relationship between latency, framerate, bitrate, and jitter magnitude on a cloud gaming player’s quality of experience. A first person shooter game was used in a study where participants played under various network conditions. Based on 31 participants' data, jitter, latency, and bitrate were all found to have a significant negative effect on player experience