Author: ayusuf

Authors: Nigel St Jean, Samantha Ramon Soto

Advisors: Holly Ault, Caitlin Ferrarini

Category:  Undergraduate – IQP

Abstract: The Monteverde Market, operated by Somos Monteverde (SMV), fosters local entrepreneurship and sustainability in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Challenges hinder achieving self-sustainability and increasing engagement, specifically among tourists. Through interviews, surveys, and literature review, we identified key barriers: limited tourist outreach, language barriers, and vendor fatigue. We developed strategies to enhance the market’s visibility, sustainability, and community impact. We propose adjusting market hours, offering language workshops, and increasing marketing. Positioning the market as a social hub and showcasing sustainability initiatives can attract more visitors. Implementing these strategies can boost SMV’s engagement and long-term self-sustainability.

SDG 3 – Good Health and Well Being

SDG 5 – Gender Equality

SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth

SDG 10 – Reduce Inequalities

SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

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UG 14 – Somos Monteverde – St Jean

Author: Zexin Wang

Advisor: Yan Wang

Category: Graduate

Abstract: Many PV panels will reach their end-of-life, which will reach 1.7–8 million tons by 2030 and 60–70 million tons by 2050. Recycling these solar panels is critical, but common recycling methods require the use of a strong toxic acid, HF acid. We have developed a method that does not require HF acid and can recover high purity SiO2 or Si that can be used as anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

UN SDGs:

SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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GR 07 – Solar_panel_recycling – Wang

Author: Amarachi Echere

Advisor: Rob Krueger

Category: Graduate

Abstract: Yes—Generative AI makes mistakes, it learns from the data it is trained on, and if that data carries biases, the AI can unknowingly perpetuate them. In a highly specialized domain like upcycling in artisanal communities, it’s a tough challenge to weed out these subtle influences, and the repercussions could affect the authenticity of cultural craftsmanship. While AI can mimic creativity, its outputs rely heavily on learned patterns, making it critical to understand how the next generation of artisans interact with AI tools and develop new competencies for sustainable practices. This study employs a participatory design approach with 28 artisans from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda to develop a framework for training a specialized GAI model to adapt to this domain. Through the Upcycle-AI model, we investigate AI’s limitations in material-sensitive design and compare its adaptability to a generic model.

UN SDGs:

SDG 1 –  No Poverty

SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth

SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

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Author: Ashton Lyon

Advisors: Dr. Danielle Cote , Dr. Kyle Tsaknopoulos

Category: Graduate

Abstract: 3D-printing with metals, using a process such as Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing to build up layers in the shape of a desired metal part, has proven to be a highly green process which enables the repair of worn parts and saves material when manufacturing new parts compared to traditional methods. The material efficiency of cold spray is very high for soft metals such as pure aluminum or copper, with nearly 100% of the material successfully depositing on the workpiece. Refractory metals (Ti, W, Nb) and nickel-based alloys are desirable for their higher strength and heat resistance but are expensive, refined from ore often sourced from conflict mining sources outside the United States, and may only deposit a small fraction of the material spent due to their high hardness. Rather than classifying this valuable powder as waste, the common industry practice today, an opportunity exists to collect, examine, and process this powder for re-use in cold spray printing. This work aims to recover Inconel 718 powder after cold spray for characterization and processing, ultimately finding that heat treatment of recovered powder has successfully reconditioned it for potential re-use in further cold spray, saving valuable material while reducing our waste and overall consumption of these critical metals.

UN SDGs:

SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

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Author: Jinzhao Fu

Advisor: Yan Wang

Category: Graduate

Abstract: This project introduced advanced solvent-free electrode manufacturing for EV batteries. This process removes the toxic solvent used in the conventional electrode manufacturing process and significantly reduces energy consumption during electrode manufacturing.

UN SDGs:

SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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GR 06 – Solvent-Free Electrode Manufacturing – Fu

Authors: Wenting Jin, Zeyi Yao

Advisor: Yan Wang

Category: Graduate

Abstract: This project mainly focus on fuel cell MEA recycling containing PGM metals, ionomers and carbon. Unlike traditional pyrometallurgical method, our method not only maintain similarly high recycling efficiency of Pt recycling, but also properly deal with the rest part of MEA including PFAS materials without any HF emissions, which is environmentally friendly. In addition, compared with other method, our method is easy to scale up and posses a great potential for industrialization.

UN SDGs:

SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

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GR 05 – Recycling of Precious Metals – Jin

Author: Zifei Meng

Advisor: Yan Wang

Category: Graduate

Abstract: This research introduces a universal, eco-friendly methodology tailored for the efficient selective extraction of lithium from both single and mixed cathode materials. Achieving impressive selective leaching efficiencies of lithium, the method reaches 99.51% for LFP and around 90% for NMC111, with a remarkable increase to 97.24% in mixed cathode scenarios due to the lowered activation energy. The extracted lithium is refined into lithium carbonate, attaining an overall recovery efficiency of 95% and a battery-grade purity of 99.6%.

UN SDGs:

SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

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GR 04 – Selective Extraction of Lithium – Meng

Author: Jiahui Hou

Advisor: Yan Wang

Category: Graduate

Abstract: As the economy started to recover from the COVID pandemic, the price of Li2CO3 skyrocketed to its highest. This situation has aggravated concerns about the supply chain for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Recycling spent LIBs is a potential solution to alleviate the bottleneck of the supply chain and prevent environmental pollution, and has attracted lots of attention. However, lithium recycling is generally disregarded because of the complex recycling process and its low recycling efficiency. Here, in this work we developed a sustainable lithium recovery process, which can selectively leach and recover lithium with formic acid before recycling valuable metals. With the reported method, lithium can be 99.8% recovered from layered oxide cathode materials with 99.994% purity. In addition, this lithium recovery process is affordable, compared to the typical hydrometallurgical process, by saving 11.15% per kilogram of spent LIBs. Therefore, this research provided a new solution to eliminating the effects of lithium ions on valuable metal separation and the co-precipitation reaction and precluding the influence of other metal ions on lithium recovery. This simplified lithium recovery process provides new opportunities for sustainable recycling of LIBs and economical restoration of the lithium supply chain.

UN SDGs:

SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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GR 03 – Green closed-loop process – Jiahui_Hou

Author: Itamar Harris

Advisor: Jamal Yagoobi

Category: Graduate

Abstract: Industrial drying is one of the most energy-intensive processes across key sectors such as food, paper, and chemicals. To meet sustainability goals and reduce energy consumption, this project explores laser technology as a novel drying method offering precision, speed, and efficiency. This work began with the design and development of a laser drying setup at the Center for Advanced Research in Drying (CARD), WPI. Experimental studies using sugar cookie dough as an initial product demonstrated uniform energy distribution, rapid moisture removal, and temperature control without surface degradation. Preliminary results indicate potential for energy savings and carbon footprint reduction. This project highlights the promise of lasers in advancing decarbonization efforts and supporting the shift toward sustainable industrial drying.

UN SDGs:

SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

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GR 02 – Laser Technology for Sustainable Drying _Harris_2025

Author: Panya Thanwisai

Advisor: Prof. Yan Wang

Category: Graduate

Abstract: We propose a low temperature electrolysis to produce iron from metal industrial wastes. Compared to conventional iron production, this process works at 10x lower temperature with 50% lower energy usage and no direct CO2 emission. Moreover, the use of industry wastes as a feed material can strengthen the domestic supply chain and enhance national resource security by reducing the reliance on imported raw materials and steel.

UN SDGs:

SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy

SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

SDG 13 – Climate Action

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GR 01 – Sustainable Iron Production – Thanwisai