Authors: Shuai Wang
Advisors: Nima Rahbar
Category: Graduate
Abstract:
We have developed three different applications that will have an extraordinary impact on worldwide concrete consumption and emissions.
UN SDGs:
(GR9) Rare Earth Metal Recycling Using a Novel, Low-cost Distillation Technology
Authors: Chinenye Chinwego
Advisors: Adam Powell
Category: Graduate
Abstract:
We are perfecting a technology that will extract rare earth metals from magnet scrap because rare earth metals are in short supply in the United States. 95% of rare earth metal production is carried out in China, and right now, there are no U.S. producers. The only non-Chinese producers are Estonia, Vietnam, and Thailand- a small market.
We are looking to build a start-up in the U.S. to fill the vacuum, and part of our research is to prove that out.
UN SDGs:
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 – Climate Action, SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 9 – Industry
(GR7) Gravity-Driven Multiple Effect Thermal System (G-METS) Distillation for Efficient Low-Cost Magnesium Refining
Authors: Armaghan Ehsani Telgerafchi, Gabriel Espinosa, Daniel McArthur, Madison Rutherford
Advisors: Adam Powell
Category: Graduate
Abstract:
The process of multiple effect distillation for the recycling of magnesium can both increase efficiency and reduce cost by up to 90% when compared to batch distillation refinement. This presentation will detail goals and applications of a novel continuous gravity-driven multiple effect thermal system (G-METS) distillation process for magnesium alloys.
UN SDGs:
(GR6) Reducing Carbon Footprint of Energy-Intensive Industrial Drying by Novel Drying Methods
Authors: Munevver Elif Asar Sarikaya
Advisors: Jamal Yagoobi
Category: Graduate
Abstract:
Manufacturing food, paper, and pharmaceutical products require energy-intensive drying processes. Novel drying methods can be used to decrease the use of energy and carbon emission of drying.
UN SDGs:
(GR5) Machine Learning for Materials Informatics
Authors: Eric Vertina*, Emily Sutherland Drew Fitzgerald
Advisors:
Category: Graduate
Abstract:
MXenes are a hot topic in materials science research because of their expected unique properties and myriad applications, such as more efficient energy conversion in batteries and solar cells, environmental and water treatment, and many additional applications. This project aims to produce Machine Learning (ML) models that accurately predict certain MXene properties – like electrical conductivity, work function, carrier density, mobility, life-time, and sensitivity to disorder – based on standard elemental information (e.g., electronegativity of each constituent element of the MXene, atomic mass of a MXene molecule, etc.), with training data found from literature as well as data produced by our project’s Density Functional Theory (DFT) team.
*This project is part of the NSF Circular Economy and Data Analytics Engineering Research for Sustainability (CEDAR) grant WPI has received.
UN SDGs:
*This author is submitting separately, as each member contributes to vastly different aspects of the project
(UG09) Updating an Automated Scale for the Study of Dates
Author(s): Matthew Adam, Ryan Antes, Eli Hoffberg, Connor Gaudette
Advisor(s): Isa Bar-On, Erin Solovey, Tess Meier
Category: Undergraduate
Abstract: Southern Arava Research and Development studies agricultural practices on Medjool dates to support local farmers and protect the industry from water shortages and plant diseases. At Southern Arava Research and Development, the previously used data collection processes consumed much of the researchers’ time, so in order to help researchers use their time more efficiently, the project team retrofit an existing machine so the machine could automate both the classification of dates based on weight and maturity and the exporting of classification data on individual dates to Excel sheets. The workings of the machine that were learned or added during this project were documented in a manual to allow researchers to use the machine for years to come.
UN SDGs: SDG 2- Zero Hunger, SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 15 – Life on Land
Video Presentation:
(GR12) Spray Drying Using Novel Nozzle Design to Improve Droplet Formation for Fine Powders
Author(s): Mehrnoush Famil Dardashti
Advisor(s): Jamal Yagoobi
Category: Graduate
Abstract: Spray drying is a method of producing a dry powder from a liquid or slurry by rapidly drying with a hot gas. Ultrasonic nozzles has emerged as a promising technology that offers several advantages over conventional spray drying methods. The use of ultrasonic vibrations for spray formation can effectively address the challenges associated with conventional atomizers, including the requirement for high temperatures and high-pressure fluids. Compared to conventional spray drying, ultrasonic atomizers can deliver a spray with lower velocity, operate at lower temperatures, produce smaller particle sizes, achieve high evaporation rates, and impose low mechanical stress.
UN SDGs: SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
Video Presentation:
(GR07) Experimental Study of Drying of Paper with Ultrasound Mechanism
Author(s): Zahra Noori O’Connor
Advisor(s): Jamal Yagoobi
Category: Graduate
Abstract: One of the most energy hungry industrial processes is paper drying. It is very essential to improve the efficiency of this process and develop novel technologies that can pave the path towards electrification of the process. We have developed a novel and efficient technology for paper drying using ultrasound mechanism.
UN SDGs: SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
Video Presentation:
(GR06) Environmentally friendly recovery of valuable metals from e-wastes
Author(s): Hui Zhang, Chaoran Wang
Advisor(s): Jianyu Lian
Category: Graduate
Abstract: E-waste is considered a potential resource. However, the current e-waste recycling is only 17.4%. E-waste management and recycling are crucial to environmental sustainability and carbon emissions reduction. Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are a valuable sub-system of e-waste. Although PCBs account for 3−6 wt.% of the total e-waste, they contain lots of valuable metals such as Cu, Zn, Ag, and Au, especially compared to natural ores. It was estimated that the cost of mining natural oral is nearly 7 times that of recycling PCBs to produce the same quality of Au, Ag, Cu, Al, and steel. However, the main used methods for PCBs treatment, landfill and pyrometallurgy, cause serious environmental and health concerns. Our objectives are: to create an efficient method to remove ECs from PCBs,
to recover critical materials from waste PCBs to minimize military logistic tail, to improve the environmental friendliness of the e-waste recycling process, and to enable the technology transfer to industry.
UN SDGs: SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 15 – Life on Land
Video Presentation:
(GR05) Improving Paper Drying with Phase Change Materials
Author(s): Itamar Harris
Advisor(s): Jamal Yagoobi
Category: Graduate
Abstract: Efficient paper drying is a significant challenge for the paper industry, prompting industry experts and researchers to seek alternative technologies. Phase change materials (PCMs) have emerged as a promising solution due to their ability to store and release heat during phase transitions from solid to liquid and vice versa. This research aims to explore the impact of PCMs on the drying process of paper, with the ultimate goal of developing more efficient and sustainable solutions for the paper and packaging industry.
UN SDGs: SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 – Climate Action
Video Presentation: