Category: Hot Topics

Vaccines: The COVID-19 Solution?

With over 6.15 M confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported worldwide as of June 1, 20201, scientists in pharma, biotech, start-ups, research institutes, and universities around the world are racing to develop tests, treatments, and vaccines2 to combat COVID-19. Today in the U.S. there are ~110 FDA-approved test kit manufacturers and commercial laboratories,3 and more than…Continue Reading Vaccines: The COVID-19 Solution?

New Interview: WPI’s Mike Ahern & Energy Central

One of WPI’s resident Power Systems experts has been busy lately! Michael Ahern recently sat down with power systems publication Energy Central as part of their Getting To Know The Experts interview series. Ahern talked about his path into power systems, the evolving training needs for power professionals, and a lot more. Read Energy Central’s interview…Continue Reading New Interview: WPI’s Mike Ahern & Energy Central

WPI Alum Discusses Impact of Worcester Cold Storage Fire

  “I had never seen [my father] feel out of control before…that is probably the memory that stands out to me the most from the day of the fire.” Matthew Foley, a WPI alumnus and Research Associate for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), recently sat down to discuss his personal connection to the Worcester…Continue Reading WPI Alum Discusses Impact of Worcester Cold Storage Fire

Fighting Climate Change: Massachusetts Task Force Enlists WPI CPE Expert

One of WPI’s resident experts in renewable energy and power systems will join a brand-new, statewide environmental task force in Massachusetts. The goal: reduce greenhouse emissions drastically by 2050 to combat climate change. According to a WPI release, Michael Ahern, Director of WPI’s Power Systems programs, “has accepted the invitation of state Secretary of Energy…Continue Reading Fighting Climate Change: Massachusetts Task Force Enlists WPI CPE Expert

ARTICLE: “Impact of Distributed Energy Resources on HR and Recruiting”

  Distributed Energy Resources, or DER, are renewable power sources and storage: wind turbines, solar panels, and batteries. These innovations are in demand today, and often subsidized by the government because of their limited environmental impact compared to fossil fuels. But with this new frontier of power comes a wave of new complexities to tackle,…Continue Reading ARTICLE: “Impact of Distributed Energy Resources on HR and Recruiting”

ARTICLE: “Top 7 Issues Facing Power Grid Modernization”

  Electric power delivery is an ever-changing science, and there’s no sign of that changing. As demand grows worldwide for the use of electricity, the technical complexity and security of power grids become more and more important. How can we modernize the grid to ensure it keeps pace with the evolving needs and challenges that…Continue Reading ARTICLE: “Top 7 Issues Facing Power Grid Modernization”

WPI’s Michael Ahern on the Merrimack Valley Explosions

Michael Ahern has been in high demand lately. Last week, when gas explosions devastated over 70 homes across Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, Massachusetts, one question was on everyone’s mind: How did this happen?  As WPI Corporate & Professional Education’s resident power systems engineer, Ahern had the answers. And over the past several days, he has…Continue Reading WPI’s Michael Ahern on the Merrimack Valley Explosions

Engineer’s Corner: Systems Engineering & Motorcycle Safety

by Don S. Gelosh, PhD, CSEP-Acq Motorcycling season is in full swing here in Virginia: one of the reasons I enjoy living in the Commonwealth. Sunny mornings, warm afternoons, and lots of twisty roads with a thousand smells of freedom. Anyone who has ridden a motorcycle understands what I am saying. Earlier this summer, as…Continue Reading Engineer’s Corner: Systems Engineering & Motorcycle Safety

Engineer’s Corner: Manufacturing Engineering vs Advanced MFE

By Jim Girouard Having spent over 30 years as a manufacturing engineer, this question has always perplexed me. Is there a difference between a Manufacturing Engineer (MFE) and an Advanced Manufacturing Engineer (AMFE)?  Is one applying the ways of the future, while the other is locked in the Iron Age?  Should every MFE strive to…Continue Reading Engineer’s Corner: Manufacturing Engineering vs Advanced MFE