Spring 2024 Projects
RESOURCE CHEMICAL CORP.
About ReSource Chemical Corp
ReSource has created technology to produce high-volume plastics that are made from truly sustainable feedstocks – CO2 and inedible biomass – yet outperform conventional materials and have favorable end-of-use options.
Learn more at: https://www.resourcechemicalcorp.com/
About the Project
Work with the team to develop process conditions to perform our core chemical technologies. These activities will include synthesis and testing of different catalysts, building reactors, and developing purification procedures.
Wet lab experience required.
Time Commitment: 20 hrs
Stipend Available: Yes
Location: Oakland, CA
Remote Work: No
TAKACHAR
About Takachar
Takachar’s vision is to dramatically increase the amount of biomass (crop and forest residues) economically converted into useful products. Our impacts include income and job creation in rural areas, as well as mitigation of CO2 emission and air pollution associated with conventional open-air biomass residue burning. In North American West Coast, improved vegetation management of non-merchantable residues may also mitigate the risks of catastrophic wildfires. We are winners of Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Fellowship, Elon Musk’s XPRIZE Carbon Removal, and Prince William’s inaugural Earthshot Prize.
Learn more at: https://takachar.com
About the Project
We are currently testing a hardware prototype. Supervised by our Operations Manager (Rod Kux), you will work alongside our 1-2 other junior project engineers on this effort. Think of this less as a rote operation but rather a directed hypothesis-driven scientific inquiry, where you and your project supervisor will critically evaluate your observations and the data at hand in order to plan the next steps to improve on the reactor prototype, the product, and the general operations based on scientific evidence. You will assist in:
- Operating the equipment safely and continuously for a few hours a day under different operating conditions,
- Collecting data for remote analysis by our analysts,
- Arranging a steady supply of different types of biomass to ship to Richmond for our testing,
- Working with remote programmers to load updates onto the programmable logic controller system,
- Training other oncoming interns or co-ops on certain aspects of the job, including giving demonstrations and tours of the prototype to visitors as needed (under supervision),
- Keeping an electronic laboratory notebook replete with all the observations and data collected during the day, and
- Making iterative fabrications to improve the prototype at a Sonoma farm, including doing the fabrications yourself or interfacing with local metal fabricators.
Required Skills: Aptitude with SolidWorks essential
About You: You are a friendly and hardworking team player who is eager to take on new challenges with a background in an engineering field such as mechanical, electrical, civil, or computer science. With a strong mechanical aptitude, you enjoy a hands-on, highly dynamic role in a fast-paced environment that keeps you physically active and gets you outdoors (not stuck behind a desk 40 hours a week), be it rain, sun, or fog. You are willing and able to commute daily to/from a farm in Novato. If you don't have a car, we can explore carpooling if you can make your way to Marin County by public transportation.
Time Commitment: 10-20 hrs
Stipend Available: Yes
Location: Novato, CA
Remote Work: Hybrid is mandatory
