Month: March 2025

Author: Tarang Shah

Advisor: Stephen McCauley

Category: Undergraduate

Abstract/Description:
Redlining and other policies have reinforced segregation by race and income in ways that shape environmental health outcomes today. Expanding on findings that previously redlined areas experience a greater urban heat island effect, this analysis of 209 cities across the country finds that areas that were redlined in the 1930s tend to have more diesel particulate matter, higher asthma rates, a larger minority population and lower incomes even today. For cities in Massachusetts, this research proceeds to identify hotspots in detail to inform policies to replace impervious areas with green space in ways that advance the livability of the city.

 

Authors: Emilia Perez; Chase Gaudino; Lauren Kaija; Hannah Schulz; Trisha Worthington

Advisors: Suzanne LePage; Leonard Albano

Category: Undergraduate

Abstract/Description:
Climate Ready Boston (CRB) began the work of assessing the impact of climate change on the City of Boston in 2016 by looking at the effects of increased temperatures, precipitation, storms, and sea level rise (SLR). The work pertaining to SLR was conducted in anticipation of 36′ of SLR by the year 2070. It is expected that new projections set to be released soon will show that Boston will experience 48′ of SLR by 2070 instead of 36′. This team was tasked with reassessing the effects of the additional foot of SLR on an area of the City. The team evaluated vulnerable neighborhoods within Boston, and then narrowed the scope of the project to focus on one area that will be impacted by the increase. The team created a GIS model reflecting the additional SLR effects in the neighborhood of East Boston, calculated the additional costs associated with the new prediction, and conceptually designed flood barriers to protect vulnerable residents in East Boston. These conceptual flood barrier designs would ultimately increase resiliency and the sustainability of a community. A team member conducted an additional community survey and workshop to inform and allow for discussion among residents within East Boston about sea level rise and future City projects. Further research was also done on international approaches to sea level rise protection measures and recommendations were made for future projects and planning efforts in Boston.

Authors: Olivia Caton; Marina Como; Jacqueline Cardin

Advisor: Steven Kmiotek

Category: Undergraduate

Abstract/Description:
Pharmaceuticals are known to cause detrimental environmental effects including the increase of antibiotic resistant bacteria and development issues in animals, but research is still limited. This study aims to observe the effect current wastewater treatment methods have on three pharmaceuticals (SMZ, azithromycin, and salicylic acid) by analyzing their concentrations after seven treatment stages. Utilizing SPE and LC-MS, we determined the effluent concentrations of SMZ and azithromyicin were 81 ppb and 209 ppb, respectively, with similar concentrations appearing in surface water. This study did not observe a reduction in pharmaceutical concentration with current wastewater treatment methods, but noted their potential.

 

Authors: Igor De Moraes; Anthony Arace; Thomas Riviere; William Donovan

Advisors: Sarah Stanlick; Bethel Eddy

Category: Undergraduate

Abstract/Description:
The Princeton Environmental Action Committee (EAC) is a town committee within Princeton, MA that exists to advise and set goals and recommendations for the town of Princeton regarding energy and environmental considerations. Our project aimed to assist the EAC in this goal by documenting available wood sources within a 20-mile radius of Princeton. Our project defines “available wood” as wood that has been removed either for environmental or safety reasons, in addition to waste wood from for-profit wood removals done by private businesses. This wood cannot be made into higher-value products, and instead is left to be given away, rot, or put to other local uses that can be found for this wood. To quantify this wood output, we conducted interviews, phone calls, and email exchanges with both public entities and private businesses in the Wachusett region that were involved with wood removals. After conducting interviews and collecting data we were able to identify all the possible stakeholders that are involved with wood sources in the area. Based on our findings, we recommended proposing a wood aggregation hub to the town of Princeton to utilize this underused resource and improve sustainability across the Wachusett region.

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Authors: Abby O’Sullivan; Julia Vanderstreet; Alison Guthrie

Advisor: Glenn Gaudette

Category: Undergraduate

Abstract/Description:
With over 200 million bandages being sold every year in the United States, there is a need for a sustainable solution. Our team has developed a new patent pending technology to revolutionize the bandage industry by repurposing agricultural waste. Our final prototype is a sustainably sourced, 100 % biodegradable bandage to reduce waste and protect minor wounds.

Authors: Ido Katz; Josh Martin; Georgina Quinn; Donovan Robillard; Ian Weston

Advisor: Michael Timko

Category: Undergraduate

Abstract/Description:
The basic area would be talking to WPI and other stakeholders about implementing a new waste-to-energy technology on campus. One of my previous MQP projects found that this technology could – in principle – completely supply all existing petroleum use on campus. Of course, implementing the technology will require and investment, change in practice, and possibly disrupt other arrangements with partners. Getting input from all of these stakeholders and formalizing them in a report would be very valuable.

Authors: Eric Himebaugh; Owen Ferrara; Matthew Rando; Chris Skangos

Advisor: Michael Timko

Category: Undergraduate

Abstract/Description:
Increasing amounts of plastic waste has prompted research into alternative chemical recycling solutions. Pyrolysis could prove to be a more sustainable way to recycle plastics and produce oil. By using a machine learning algorithm to analyze a pyrolysis data set, oil yields can be predicted from relevant independent variables such as feed composition, temperature, and reaction time. These predictions indicate that it is possible to optimize process parameters, thereby creating a more circular process and reducing energy waste.

Authors: Samantha Marcil; Rosalyn Bates; David Schwartz

Advisors: John-Michael Davis; Isa Bar-On

Category: Undergraduate

Abstract/Description:
The City of Eilat is a member of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, an international coalition of cities working to combat climate change. Members report their greenhouse gas emissions and progress on emission reduction policies. Eilat is required to submit an updated emissions inventory for 2019. This report contains an introduction to the issues of climate change in Eilat, as well as information on electricity usage, transportation, and disposal of municipal solid waste to estimate Eilat’s greenhouse gas emissions during 2019.

Authors: Joseph Howell; Aidan Mayer; Erika Wentz

Advisors: Soroush Farzin; Leonard Albano

Category: Undergraduate

Abstract/Description:
Climate change is causing many people globally to consider their energy consumption and how it could be decreased. To achieve this goal, many buildings are being designed as net-zero energy by implementing various energy saving strategies. This project investigates this goal on the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) campus. Campus-wide energy consumption was analyzed for developing baseline energy models. Seven buildings surrounding WPI’s Quadrangle (Quad) were selected and modeled to match the actual measured energy data and produce realistic energy analysis results. By creating and utilizing a matrix of different net-zero energy strategies, four scenarios were analyzed for implementation with the WPI Campus. Analysis was conducted by implementing four compositions of net-zero energy strategies, listed as energy saving scenarios. Each scenario compiled strategies within a category (i.e. Wall and Roof Improvements, Windows and Shading, etc.). Across the Quad, energy savings were calculated for each scenario culminating in a 65% decrease in total energy consumption. With photo-voltaic panels placed on available roof surfaces around the quad, the total energy decrease rises to 75%. From this analysis, recommendations were given for which strategies to implement at WPI, the installation of a modular solar canopy, and further energy monitoring within all buildings on the WPI campus.

Authors: Jake Marko; Jillian Forauer; Joseph Shih; Timothy Berry

Advisors: Glenn Gaudette; Tanja Dominko; David DiBiasio

Category: Undergraduate

Abstract/Description:
The global demand for meat is expected to double in the next half-century, but current meat production practices pose significant hazards to the environment and human health. The emerging field of cellular agriculture has the potential to solve problems associated with traditional animal agriculture by culturing animal products in vitro. Cellular agriculture is potentially more environmentally sustainable, but there are hurdles to overcome in large-scale production. Cell culture media is the solution in which the cells are grown, and it can be a limiting factor in the cost and environmental impact of large-scale cellular agriculture. There is a need to extend the lifetime of the media by removing metabolic waste products and replenishing the media with nutrients. This would reduce media-associated costs and the water and energy usage of the system. This project aimed to create a co-culture system of primary bovine satellite cells (PBSCs) and the microalgae, C. reinhardtii, to extend the media lifetime and improve the sustainability of large-scale cellular agriculture. The success of this system was assessed by collecting data on dissolved oxygen concentrations, culture pH, and cell viability. The data suggest that PBSCs can remain viable in co-culture with C. reinhardtii and that the system increases dissolved oxygen and slows the pH drop normally observed in animal cell culture. This system should be further explored to optimize the media recycling potential of C. reinhardtii co-cultures.