Advisors: Zhi Li; Carlo Pinciroli; Maqsood Ali Mughal
Category: Undergraduate
Abstract/Description: Supervisory control of a humanoid robot in a manipulation task requires coordination of remote perception with robot action, which becomes more demanding with multiple moving cameras available for task supervision. We explore the use of autonomous camera control and selection to reduce operator workload and improve task performance in a supervisory control task. We design a novel approach to autonomous camera selection and control, and evaluate the approach in a user study which revealed that autonomous camera control does improve task performance and operator experience, but autonomous camera selection requires further investigation to benefit the operator’s confidence and maintain trust in the robot autonomy.
Authors: Owen Smith; Nicholas Kratovil; Molly O’Connor; Gregory Kashmanian; Jehu De la Rosa
Advisors: Berk Calli; Sarah Wodin-Schwartz
Category: Undergraduate
Abstract/Description: This project pursues an autonomous solution for reducing single use cup waste through a reusable cup sharing kiosk. A design concept suitable for this type of program must receive a dirty cup from a consumer and return a clean cup ready-for-use. Such a device must have washing, drying, storing, and dispensing capabilities. The design process consists of three main steps: brainstorming, analyzing, and comparing with a design matrix. The final product prioritizes compactness and simplicity of mechanical systems. It uses a carousel-style design to pre-rinse, deep cleanse, and air-dry cups before dropping them into storage. Cups are dispensed using a two-step rack and pinion mechanism and reoriented for face-up consumer retrieval.
Authors: Kathleen Donovan; Eric Stultz; Spencer Hoagland; Thomas Lipkin
Advisors: Lorraine Higgins; Lindsay Davis
Category: Undergraduate
Abstract/Description: Microplastics, plastic pieces less than 5mm in diameter, are a threat to marine ecosystems. The Port Phillip EcoCentre quantifies surface level microplastics entering Port Phillip Bay in order to advocate for policy to mitigate microplastic pollution in Australia. We worked with this organization to develop a method to collect microplastics at greater depths, between 0.2 to 2 meters below the water’s surface. We designed and tested a portable pump and created a how-to video and an instructional manual for its use. We also created an animation to show the consequences of microplastics and the importance of our project to the public.
Abstract/Description: The city of Cape Town, South Africa has suffered from a water crisis since 2015, the government of Cape Town declared an official water crisis in 2017. The city has fought an uphill battle against droughts and excessive water consumption in an attempt to restore water storage levels to stable conditions. Eventually, the city resorted to using tariffs on households to fund a water crisis contingent to attempt to combat the water crisis. This study focuses deeply on the history of the water crisis and the types of solutions utilized in the past to reduce the severity of the crisis. This study also proposes a solution involving the identification and removal of specific invasive plant species to increase the amount of water available to the citizens of Cape Town. Invasive species are a substantial hindrance to Cape Town’s water use by choking out endangered species and consuming large amounts of the groundwater, involved with critical dams and aquifers in the area; making these species a high priority for removal. Most of the underground water comes from the Cape Town’s dams and aquifers.These dams and aquifers are vital to Cape Town’s water supply because they are the main forms of infrastructure which provide water for the city. The most impactful species to this water crisis are mainly water intensive trees including various pine, eucalyptus, and acacia (commonly called “wattle”) species. Each of these species were brought for short-term commercial purpose and profit, in the form of lumber, fuelwood, or decoration. Removing these invasive species should be done close to the river and other bodies of water as these plants have a direct route to obtaining water from those sources. Preliminary research on the targeted invasive species showed that ring barking is the most effective way to permanently remove the harmful trees. Since the trees are evolved to endure natural fire cycles and seed germination is spurred by fire, burning is not an option for removal which further supports the ring barking solution. Our solution is economically beneficial as it requires about one-tenth of conventional solutions that are currently being used during the crisis. Prior conventional solutions involved building grey infrastructure, such as desalination plans and other water collecting stations, to combat the water crisis. In addition to this, the removal of invasive species allows the native flora to reinstate and ultimately increase biodiversity.
Author: Mia Buccowich; Joe-Yee Yip; Joe Scheufele; Tyler Cierpich; Rachel Maurice; Lara Varjabedian
Advisors: Marja Bakermans; Geoff Pfeifer; Matthew St. Louis
Category: First Year
Abstract/Description: We researched the practice of adaptive reuse with regards to the Mount Carmel Church in Worcester and proposed a plan for a new purpose for the church. Our research looked into the importance of maintaining historical buildings and the environmental and economic benefits of doing so.
Abstract/Description: Solar farms occupy a large amount of land, and in many states, including Massachusetts, they have unsustainable landscaping such as turf grass or gravel. We designed a website and social media page to educate Massachusetts residents about the logistics and involvement opportunities of our project. This will address the problem by creating public pressure for solar farm developers to implement pollinator-friendly landscaping.
Abstract/Description: The purpose of our project, Model the Snowy Owl is to use evidence from our research about the conservation efforts already in place for snowy owls to be adjusted and applied to other endangered species. Our research goes into detail about threats facing bird species in general, including rodenticide poisoning, car collisions, climate change, and habitat disturbance by humans. We created posters to raise awareness of these threats with tear-away promises that the average person can make to protect bird species.
Abstract/Description: Microplastics are particles of plastics that are no larger than five millimeters that contaminate the open ocean, and also the marine life that live within these aquatic environments. Our solution to address the underwater microplastic contamination is a submersible autonomous robot capable of filtering microplastics from the ocean. By filtering microplastics from aquatic environments, not only will the amount of plastic pollutants be reduced in these natural systems, but these plastics will also be available for recycling into a sustainable closed loop process.
Abstract/Description: This report assesses whether the Worcester Downtown Triple A Ballpark/Mixed use Development, also known as Polar Park, is the best use of the formerly industrial and blighted parcels of land in Downtown Worcester. By considering the proposed use, environmental sustainability, financial sustainability and compatibility with the City’s and Regional goals, this report discusses whether this project is a long-term benefit for the City, and suggests regulatory changes to maximize benefits from this and future developments.
Abstract/Description: Global waste management challenges continue to lead to accumulation of solid waste, with the US alone contributing 300 million tons each year. The classical approach to this waste is that it must be landfilled, incinerated, or worse yet, leached into the environment. Hydrothermal liquefaction offers an attractive technological solution to not only reduce anthropogenic waste but also lead to a circular economy by producing renewable biofuels and chemicals. The approach harnesses the corrosive power of hot liquid water near its critical point to convert the macromolecules in in municipal solid waste into four primary products – biofuel, biogas, biochar, and aqueous streams. Recent efforts at WPI, national labs and innovative industry leaders have proven the technological feasibility to produce a rough biocrude. But what’s next? That biocrude is only useful if it can be upgraded into a usable product. My research uses advanced concepts in process intensification to integrate product fractionation into the HTL process. This will result in a product output of usable fractions such as biodiesel, solvents or jet fuel. It will also increase energy recovery and minimize process waste by extracting every last drop of carbon out of the water before it is discharged. This is something new for HTL, and it is something that I believe has the potential to take it from an attractive reactor concept to a realistic solution to a global challenge, finally making substantive progress toward our goal of a sustainable, circular chemical economy.