Adam C. Powell, IV is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical and Materials Engineering department who joined the WPI faculty in August 2018. His field is materials processing, and research focuses on validated mathematical modeling of metal process development for clean energy and energy efficiency. His research group is developing new projects whose goals are to reduce vehicle body weight, lower solar cell manufacturing cost with improved safety, reduce or eliminate environmental impact of shipping and aerospace emissions, and improve grid stability with up to 100% renewables, including negative-emissions electricity generation at high efficiency.

Office Location: Washburn Shops 310

E-mail:  acpowell@wpi.edu, LinkedIn

Mohammad Asadikiya is President of SilarTek LLC, an EMRG startup working to commercialize molten salt electrolysis production of solar silicon.

He earned his doctoral degree in materials science and engineering from Florida International University (FIU) and received his M.Sc. in Corrosion and Protection of Materials from Sharif University of Technology. He spent several years in various industrial sections, mainly to control corrosion and protect different types of materials in corrosive environments. He was the manager of the R&D section in Maham Imensaz Co. until 2013, working to develop new corrosion inhibitors and scale removers. During his Ph.D. in Florida International University, Dr. Asadikiya applied the CALPHAD (Calculation of Phase Diagrams) approach and Density Functional Theory (DFT) to develop various predictive tools which are able to predict different properties of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ), (La0.8 Sr0.2)0.98 MnO3±δ (LSM-20), and Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) as energy materials. These materials are extensively applied in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) and lithium-ion batteries. He also studied the boron carbide (B4C) sintering process to thermodynamically predict the reactions that occur during the process and determine the criteria to control the mechanical properties of the final B4C product.

Dr. Asadikiya has published more than 16 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers and presented his research over 25 times in various national and international conferences and meetings. He has also published one book chapter and holds one patent.

E-mail: masadikiya@wpi.edu

Daniel Sehar is a doctoral candidate in Materials Science and Engineering at WPI. His research, funded by the US Army Research Labs, focuses on the sustainable recycling of Magnesium (Mg) using the advanced G-METS distillation system. His responsibilities include designing, optimizing, parametrizing and analyzing high-temperature distillation experiments for AM and AZ series scrap alloys.

Daniel holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Panimalar Institute of Technology in Chennai, India. During his undergraduate studies, he conducted research on the synthesis of eco-friendly Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites. Additionally, he submitted a design proposal for a Micro-Lunar gravity spacecraft lavatory system for a prestigious NASA competition. He also completed an internship in semiconductor industry (Applied Materials), where he gained knowledge and hands-on-experience in ion implantation, thin-film deposition and characterization, pattern shaping and improving fidelity of thin films.

His extensive research interests encompass high-temperature extractive metallurgy, electrochemistry, 3D solid modeling, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and the sustainable recycling of critical raw materials (CRMs).

E-mail: dmsehar@wpi.edu, LinkedIn

Omid Mahdavi is a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering at WPI. He received his M.Sc. in Energy Systems Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, where he focused on the analysis of solid hydrogen storage system in a fuel cell hybrid vehicle. He has also contributed to various renewable energy projects such as solar, wind, biomass, etc.

His current research focuses on the chemical and mathematical modeling and simulation of a sustainable flow electrolysis process for the valorization of copper smelting by-products to produce Iron in a relatively low temperature compared to conventional methods. His contribution in this project, funded by ARPA-E, also includes techno-economic modeling, GHG emission analysis and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the flow electrolysis system.

In addition, Omid is completing an internship at the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy through the Massachusetts Clean Energy and Environment Legacy Transition (CELT) program. He collaborates with municipalities in Massachusetts to support the implementation, funding and feasibility study of green energy projects such as solar, geothermal and electric vehicles and energy efficiency improvement in buildings and transportation systems.

E-mail: Omahdavi@wpi.edu, LinkedIn

Hrishikesh Nirgude is a graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering (Electives - AIML for Robotics)  at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), funded by the National Science Foundation. His research focuses on developing an analytical kinetic model for ferronickel sulfidization in iron-nickel matte for battery applications for SMS GmbH. His work integrates high temperature system design and executing for reaction kinetics, thermochemical modeling, and systems-level analysis of material transformations, with an emphasis on sustainability and economic viability. Through this research, Hrishikesh has built strong competencies in high-temperature extractive metallurgy, hydro metallurgy and process modeling for clean energy materials.

Hrishikesh earned his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering Pune (COEP), India, and brings four years of diverse industrial experience spanning materials engineering, product design, and program management. He began his career as an Associate Engineer at Eaton (USA based MNC), followed by a role as Senior Engineer at Tata Punch Powertrain (Belgium based MNC), and has also contributed to the Indian startup ecosystem through his work at Repos Energy and an internship at Honeywell-Garrett. His technical skillset includes 3D CAD modeling, FEA, cost modeling, and automation with Python and AI/ML for engineering applications. He is certified in ASME Y14.5 GD&T, Tolerance Stack-Up Analysis, and Design for Six Sigma Green Belt and Project Management Professional (PMP- pursuing).

E-mail: hnirgude@wpi.edu, LinkedIn

Peter Poulos is  pursuing dual Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering degrees at WPI. He is currently contributing as a Researcher, investigating magnesium-air battery systems to explore high-energy-density storage solutions. Core competencies include corrosion analysis, electrochemistry, and iterative prototype testing, supported by hands-on laboratory techniques and a multidisciplinary engineering foundation.

Recent work emphasizes collaborative research and experimental design to address challenges in energy storage. By partnering with cross-functional teams, the research integrates chemical and mechanical engineering insights to optimize performance and identify failure modes. It is motivated by a commitment to innovation and collaboration for work that aligns with advancing scalable and viable energy solutions.

E-mail: ptpoulos@wpi.edu

Hannah Parisella is an undergraduate student studying mechanical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.  Highly motivated and eager to constantly improve, she is excited to be a part of the Energy Metals Research Group and explore her interests in thermodynamics and materials science.  After graduation, she hopes to continue her education in graduate school and earn a Masters in mechanical engineering.

E-mail: hlparisella@wpi.edu

Grace is a senior at the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at WPI.  She has experience teaching students of all ages and aspires to work in the STEM field.  She is a member of the FRC team 190, and hopes to share her love of robotics and engineering with everyone around her.  Grace currently teaches at a non-profit organization and interns at a magnesium distillation laboratory at WPI (EMRG).  Her favorite pastime hobbies are swimming, art, and music.  Grace looks forward to working with everyone!

E-mail: gqiu@wpi.edu

My name is Maria Mishechkina and I am senior at the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at WPI. I am currently interning with the EMRG research group at WPI working on the magnesium distillation project. One of my main passions is robotics, and I am a member of the FRC 190 team, focusing mainly on the mechanical and fabrication aspects. In the future, I aspire to go into an engineering field and continue fueling my interest in STEM. My favorite leisurely hobbies include crocheting, running, and playing the saxophone.

E-mail: mmishechkina@wpi.edu

Amy Telgerafchi is a PhD student in the department of Mechanical & Material Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Her research interests are computational materials, Numerical modeling (CFD), Polymeric membranes, electrochemistry, quantum physics, self-assembly, clean Energy, nanomaterials, polymers, composites and very interested in smart materials for energy storage and conversion. Her PhD research is focusing on numerical modeling and experimental study for continuous gravity-driven multiple effect thermal system (G-METS) distillation of lead for use in batteries. She has studied Polymer Engineering at Islamic Azad University in Iran. She has worked on fabrication of polymeric solar thermal fuel membrane in energy storage applications.

E-mail: atelgerafchi@wpi.edu