48440 research outputs found
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The Metal Sponge: Sequestration of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II)
No full textThe invention of photovoltaics and battery technology have improved how humanity generates and utilizes electricity: however, pollution arising from these technologies has the potential to impact our health and environment. Projections into 2050 estimate that over 9 million tons of photovoltaic waste will be generated, potentially leaching lead and cadmium at hazardous levels (“End of Life Solar Panels: Regulations and Management). Studies of portable batteries showed 65 samples of button cell batteries containing mercury concentrations at or above 1,000 mg/kg (Recknagel et al. 158). Our goal was to improve the removal of lead, cadmium, and mercury from mixed-ion solutions by utilizing a combination of the adsorbent materials hydroxyapatite and SOL-AD-IV. Equilibrium isotherm testing was utilized to determine the maximum capacity of selected materials (hydroxyapatite, qmax=54.945 mg/g; SOL-AD-IV, qmax=35.8423 mg/g) in a mixed-ion aqueous solution. Breakthrough testing showed that the two-adsorbent system was comparatively more effective at the removal of all three metal ions, with a maximum breakthrough percent of Ct/C0=0.0881% versus that of the single-adsorbent hydroxyapatite (Ct/C0=0.1877%) and SOL-AD-IV (Ct/C0=39.792%) systems. Based on this data, it was determined that the two-adsorbent system was more effective for the treatment of the mixed-ion solution
Representation of Women in Climate Stories
No full textWomen are continuously underrepresented in many areas of life and science, and the climate change scientific community is no different. This literature review aims to show why women's voices are critical due to the different impact climate change has on them within their communities. The research was conducted through a literary analysis of articles and papers on the relevant topic
Redesigning Bus Transit in Worcester, Massachusetts
No full textThe goal of this project was to improve bus service for the people of Worcester by improving the Worcester Regional Transit Authority’s (WRTA) bus frequency and reliability within the system, enhancing route transfers across the city, elevating the user experience, and boosting ridership. This study analyzed the current bus service system of the WRTA using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis as well as in-person site visits. GIS analyses included distance to bus stops, using both buffers and isochrones, ridership by stop, and frequency and efficiency of bus route travel. The group also used AutoCAD to create mock-ups of potential sites for Mini-Hubs—locations that would facilitate cross-system travel. This project was designed to create tangible and implementable results
CS: MQP: Sun: Security Concentration Eligible: Analyzing System-Level Behaviors of Malware
No full textThe goal of this MQP was to generate a malware system calls library, create corresponding SODGs (system object dependency graphs), and develop a proof of concept for using machine learning to determine patterns in malware pathways. eBPF and the Python BCC library were used for system call collection and logging. Graphviz was used for the generation of SODGs. VMs were set up on servers with Proxmox. The project built upon the GIN graph neural network for graph analysis
Development of a robotized pan-tilt camera
No full textThis project involves creating a Raspberry Pi-powered pan-tilt camera system with intuitive remote control over a web page and real-time video feedback. The system is integrated with servo motor control and a lightweight web-based interface, making it possible for users to dynamically adjust the orientation of the camera. The camera feed is streamed via a Flask-based server to provide live video over a local network. System integration was a key aspect, with Python-based servo control scripts, Picamera2 streaming, and HTML/CSS front-end components operating smoothly together. The potential applications for such a system include robotics teleoperation, assistive technology, educational devices for embedded systems and computer vision, as well as home security. The design was centered on accessibility and simplicity, offering an inexpensive, scalable platform for a variety of real-world applications
Building and Testing Underwater Drones
No full textThis project supported General Dynamics Electric Boat in continuing the work of the 2024 MQP, Designing an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle, by refining the parametric design tool, incorporating two distinct Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) designs, and assessing the accuracy of its outputs. We conducted research on UUV design parameters, material selection, structural integrity, and control systems. By utilizing the parametric design tool and comparing its results to those from ANSYS Fluent and MATLAB Simulink simulations, we evaluated the tool’s accuracy. Additionally, we assessed the 2025 parametric design tool by comparing its outputs to those of the 2024 version, examining the impact of our updates and effectiveness of the improvements. Based on our findings, we recommend refining input parameters, enhancing hydrodynamic modeling, and improving real-time adaptability. Future work includes prototyping and water tank testing, as well as expanding the tool’s capabilities to accommodate a broader range of UUV configurations
Surface Tethering of Heavy-Metal Ligands on Silicon and Silica Surfaces
No full textWe recently developed surface grafting methods to covalently attach the organic ligand "saldeta" onto silicon surfaces. Chemically oxidized Si(111) and silica gel surfaces were functionalized by first depositing 3-chloropropyltriethoxysilane onto the surface followed by the stepwise building of the organic ligand, synthesized from the inexpensive starting materials salicylaldehyde "sal" and diethylenetriamine "deta." The resulting surface-tethered saldeta absorbed Pb2+ when exposed to lead acetate and desorbed the heavy metal upon acidification. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy quantified elemental composition and surface coverage of the silicon surfaces at each stage. Surface-tethered saldeta’s exposure to lead acetate yields notable doublets in the Pb 4f region without the presence of the carbon feature representative of acetate. XP spectra of Si(111) and silica gel surfaces imply successful covalent attachment of saldeta that is capable of heavy metal capture and release. Future research should address the surface grafting methods of saldeta on silica gel to optimize percent surface coverage and elemental ratios. Such paths may include coupling the silane and DETA in solution before covalent attachment to silica gel and further verification techniques using infrared(IR) spectroscopy equipped with a praying mantis attachment
Highlighting Failure and Struggle as Normal College Experiences Through Faculty Interviews
No full textIn a competitive academic environment, failure is something most students fear, but it’s also an unavoidable part of learning and growth. Our project, Normalizing Failure, explores how respected faculty members at WPI think about and experience failure. Through a series of video interviews, we asked professors to share times they struggled, lessons they learned, and advice they would give to students. We found that many view failure not as an end, but as part of the process — especially in fields where experimentation and setbacks are expected. By sharing these stories, we hope to make it easier for students to talk about failure, ask for help, and see setbacks as opportunities rather than final outcomes
Saving Limbs: A Way to Salvage Severed and Partially Severed Appendages
No full textAfter a limb is either partially or fully amputated, it is at high risk of necrosis if it is not immediately preserved and reattached. In a scenario where temperatures are extreme, and the patient is far from a health facility, the patient’s limb would need to be kept at 16 ℃ to maintain its viability until medical attention is given. The main goal of this project is to create a device that will cool a fully or partially severed limb to 16 ℃ for a minimum of six hours. The device is meant to operate without refrigeration and be lightweight, portable, and simple to use. It can act as a more readily available alternative to current limb preservation methods. Using an iterative design process, a final design was developed consisting of a siphon CO2 tank, a wood and plexiglass heat exchanger compartment, and a closed loop system to circulate air between the compartment and an insulated limb sleeve. Through many iterations and testing, the device was able to cool a mock limb to 16 ℃ after 4 hours and 41.5 minutes, establishing a baseline system that can be built upon to further improve cooling efficiency
Mammary Cell Microfluidic Thermal Device
No full textUnderstanding the thermal behavior of mammary cells is crucial for detecting physiological changes driven by hormones, microbiome shifts, and disease states such as breast cancer. Although advances in digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) have improved thermal diagnostics, current methods still lack the resolution and accuracy needed at the cellular level. This project developed and validated a proof-of-concept microfluidic system designed to measure thermal conductivity using metal beads as analogs for mammary cells. Copper and steel alloy beads were tested in PDMS channels using a controlled dual hot-plate setup, with thermal conductivity calculated via Fourier’s Law. Experimental results closely aligned with published values, confirming the system’s capability to detect thermal properties accurately, especially after adjusting for material and sensor-related discrepancies. SolidWorks computational simulations were used to model thermal gradients and sensor responses over time in micro-scale conditions. While the macro-scale experiments showed strong potential, challenges such as heat loss and suboptimal sensor placement emphasized the need for design improvements. Recommendations include better sensor-bead integration, PDMS material doping, enhanced thermal insulation, and an eventual shift to biological testing using mammary cells in a biocompatible medium. With continued development, this platform could offer novel diagnostic insights into mammary cell thermal behavior and broader women’s health applications