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Working towards decarbonization with the power of ammonia

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 01:34:39 +0000

Working towards decarbonization with the power of ammonia Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 09/24/2024 - 19:34

Jatinder Sampathkumar

Jatinder Sampathkumar is a PhD graduate from Mechanical Engineering and is currently working on new renewable energy technologies at Amogy.

Jatinder Sampathkumar

Tell us about your current role. What are you working on?

I am a senior systems engineer at Amogy, where I facilitate collaboration between the research and development (R&D) and product development teams. I’m part of the team responsible for designing, packaging, manufacturing, testing and integrating our product's hardware elements. I collaborate closely with our customers to understand their specific needs and interface with certification and regulatory bodies to ensure our products meet safety standards and help shape new regulations for ammonia-powered systems.

What makes ammonia interesting as an energy source?

Ammonia, a century-old chemical produced from hydrogen and atmospheric nitrogen, has traditionally served as a fertilizer precursor. It has a superior energy density compared to hydrogen and existing battery chemistries and can provide a carbon-neutral solution for transporting and storing clean energy. Technological advancements including efficient ammonia cracking, direct ammonia propulsion and hybrid fuel blends have opened new avenues for its use in transportation. The existing infrastructure, public familiarity and technological maturity of ammonia from its agricultural applications also contribute to its potential as an energy source.

What kinds of applications are a good fit for Amogy's technology? Where do you see it making an impact?

Currently, the shipping industry is responsible for 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions through its annual consumption of 300 million tons of fossil fuels, making it a key focus area for Amogy's products. Amogy recently sailed the world's first carbon-free, ammonia-powered vessel, marking an important step in demonstrating the capabilities of carbon-free sustainable solutions. Our technology can also be easily adapted for electricity generation in other sectors, such as stationary power generation for critical infrastructure sites, off-grid or remote locations and port-side applications.

How does what you do now connect back to your work as a PhD student?

My research with the Labbe and Boulder Experimental Electronics and Manufacturing (BEEM) labs focused on designing and manufacturing miniature flow devices for evaluating sustainable fuel candidates at the molecular level. I dedicated significant time to applying core mechanical engineering principles to enhance existing experiments that assess the chemical behavior of these fuels. I continue to apply this expertise at Amogy, where we translate experimental findings and theoretical models into practical product capabilities. My experience in the graduate design program has also been instrumental in equipping me with the tools to tackle design challenges from a user-centric perspective. It has emphasized the importance of iterative design as we move from ideation to the operational deployment of products.

What advice do you have for students interested in working on new, more sustainable energy sources?

Sustainable energy development is an urgent global priority, particularly as we strive to combat climate change and diversify our energy sources. One of the most essential skills to cultivate is curiosity. Staying informed about the rapidly evolving energy landscape is crucial. Understanding which technologies are being explored and identifying key sectors for diversification can drive meaningful progress. Engaging in interdisciplinary learning is also vital, as creating sustainable solutions requires collaboration among individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Jatinder Sampathkumar is a PhD graduate from Mechanical Engineering and is currently working on new renewable energy technologies at Amogy.

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Interning with Shimmick Construction

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 22:13:52 +0000

Interning with Shimmick Construction Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 09/28/2021 - 16:13

Dane Richardson is an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering. He interned at Shimmick Construction during summer 2021.

Dane Richardson

How did you find your summer internship and what made you excited to apply?

During summer 2021, I worked for Shimmick Construction in San Francisco as a Field Engineering Intern. I learned about this position from a career fair at CU. This internship interested me because it gave me the opportunity to move to California for the summer working in person. I was also interested in getting real world experience using what I had learned in the classroom.

What did your work look like as a Field Engineering Intern?

I worked with a team of three other engineers as the primary contractor on the BART Market Street Entry Canopies job. I spent a lot of time in the field and in the office helping with coordinating tasks and progressing the job. When I was in the field, I would help the construction workers with questions about the drawings for the job and learned a lot from them about hands-on construction work. When I was in the office, I was learning about how to manage and prepare for a large-scale project and the importance of communication between all parties on a job. I wrote RFIs to the owner, worked on submittals, managed documents, and analyzed drawings.

How did the ME skills you’ve learned through your classes show up in your work?

One of my larger tasks was making 3D models of the concrete work on the job to help with field coordination and make the drawings easier to read. I used SolidWorks to make the models and produce drawings and values for concrete required on the job. That project let me draw on what I learned in MCEN1025 and apply it to a real project.

What advice do you have for other students interested in similar opportunities?

The advice I have for another student in a similar opportunity is to talk to everyone and try and build strong relationships for a better chance of an offer back/for full time. This also will help build references for future career opportunities. My advice for the career fairs would be to talk to more companies than you think. It’s a great networking opportunity and you can show interest in a company without committing to anything.

Dane Richardson is an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering. He interned at Shimmick Construction during summer 2021.

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Interning with Sandia National Laboratories

Anonymous — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 17:51:17 +0000

Interning with Sandia National Laboratories Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/16/2021 - 11:51

Katherine Schutt

Katie Schutt is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. She is currently interning with Sandia National Laboratories.

Katie Schutt

Where are you working this summer and what made them stand out in your search?

Since the beginning of August I have been working remotely as a Virtual Technologies & Engineering Intern at Sandia National Laboratories. The intersection of entertainment and engineering is something that really interests me, so I was very excited to pursue this role where I use Unity (a video game engine) and Blender (a computer graphics software) to animate and model critical components.

What kinds of projects or tasks have you been able to contribute to? What does your day to day work look like?

I write scripts in C# and Python to animate and measure values within rigid body dynamics simulations. I am working on projects involving multidisciplinary teams where communication is critical to successful outcomes, so animations utilizing augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) can allow for a deeper understanding and improve that communication.

How has what you've learned in your classes showed up in your work? Did you have any "aha!" moments when you realized you could draw on class material?

My introductory experiences with programming through high school robotics and my freshman computer science course CSCI 1320 were really helpful. When I started the internship I was comfortable using IDEs and different methods of debugging code because of those experiences. When I was first learning Unity and Blender, I used the materials from my dynamics and physics courses to practice designing rigid body dynamic simulations.

What advice would you have for other students interested in working or interning in a related field?

While typical two or three month summer internships are still wonderful opportunities, I would also explore roles beyond them like co-ops or internships you can reasonably continue part-time during the school year. In my experience, the first few weeks of an internship consists of learning how to be a productive employee within your organization and catching up on software, hardware, and testing skills. The ability to continue working on those skills in a professional environment can be really beneficial to their growth.

I'd also recommend using your resources to connect with someone who works in places you are interested in learning more about: search for �鶹��Ѱ��Engineering alumni on LinkedIn, attend career events, mention your interests and job search, seek out current interns or alumni employees from organizations you are involved in.

Katie Schutt is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. She is currently interning with Sandia National Laboratories.

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Interning with Electro-Mechanical Products

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 19:47:29 +0000

Interning with Electro-Mechanical Products Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 09/13/2021 - 13:47

Spencer White

Spencer White is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering and a proud member of the �鶹��Ѱ��Cycling Team. He interned with Electro-Mechanical Products during summer 2021.

Spencer White

Where did you intern over the summer and what was exciting for you about that opportunity?

This summer I had the amazing opportunity to work as a Manufacturing Engineer Intern at Electro-Mechanical Products Inc. in Lakewood, CO. I first became interested in manufacturing from Prof. Tsai's MCEN 4026 class and wanted to supplement my education with hands-on manufacturing experience. EMP fit the bill perfectly. I was immediately interested in them because of their commitment to creating a high-functioning intern team environment and because we would be working on process improvement projects, something I had not had extensive experience with and was excited to learn more about.

What kinds of projects or tasks were you able to contribute to? What did your day to day work look like?

Our intern team was able to contribute to as many or as few projects as we saw fit over the summer. On day one we were presented with a list of ~20 process improvement projects based on plant need that varied in project complexity. One project I worked on was designing and implementing an automated pneumatic tube-pressing machine to vastly improve downstream manufacturing efficiency. This ~$45000 project utilized machine design skills in I/O based circuits, fluid logic, fixture design, and microcontroller programming.

My day to day work varied between being behind the desk and on the factory floor. Typically I was involved in fixture modeling, creating drawings, talking with machinists, testing and designing circuits and the like. If working in a role like this, be prepared to split your time between desk and floor work!

Was there a particular challenge you encountered that really pushed your engineering skills?

While working on our automation project, we had to interface a fluid logic circuit utilizing solenoids and our programming language. It was an interesting problem designing and testing circuitry to drive a mechanical apparatus with signals originating from a microcontroller, especially in the testing phase. This pushed my engineering and creativity skills to hypothesize all of the numerous possible failure possibilities and design to mitigate these. For example, to uphold project goals of operator safety and reducing scrap, we had to consider if our computer failed, and design for it to fail safely without damaging people or parts.

Did you have any "aha!" moments when you realized that you could use an equation or skill you'd learned in class?

EMP supported the Manufacturing Engineering Interns very well and allowed us relative autonomy in our everyday work, so whatever we were interested in tackling, we did. In my case this involved CAD and creating engineering drawings and working on circuit design. From the ME/EE Circuits course I was able to use transistor math to work with Solid-State Relays (SSR’s) for the first time to take small-power signals and throttle them up to drive high power devices. Having background in op-amps and transistors from the circuits course and in SolidWorks from my CAD class allowed me to contribute to the work in a meaningful way.

What advice would you have for other students interested in working or interning in a related field?

When working or interning in a field related to manufacturing engineering, make sure to keep an open mind and be willing to learn new skills and processes. This field is very dynamic and ever-changing so adaptability is key. Additionally, put effort into team dynamics. You would be surprised at the final results when teams are working at their best and all members of a team are creatively contributing!

Spencer White is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering and a proud member of the �鶹��Ѱ��Cycling Team. He interned with Electro-Mechanical Products during summer 2021.

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Interning with Phillips 66

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 12:59:31 +0000

Interning with Phillips 66 Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/09/2021 - 06:59

Megan Conard

Megan Conard is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. She interned with Phillips 66 during summer 2021 and summer 2022.

Megan Conard

Where did you work over the summer and what kinds of projects did you work on?

During summer 2021, I interned as a refinery engineer at Phillip 66’s Billings refinery. While I was there, I worked with the turnaround group. This began with learning the turnaround process for when a refinery shuts down their units to debottleneck, perform maintenance, and make upgrades. During my time at the refinery, I worked on three projects involving turnaround preparation: the risk register, a quality control handbook, and sign-off wall charts.

For my second summer with Phillips 66, I interned at the Sweeny Refinery. While I worked on turnaround last summer, this summer I got to work in the projects group. As a return intern, this internship gave me the opportunity to expand upon my existing knowledge in a different aspect of refining.

Are there any projects you worked on that stand out as really pushing your learning?

My biggest project in 2021 was the risk register, which required me to risk rank (probability x consequence) possible risk events that could occur during turnaround. I then developed mitigation plans and ordered contingency materials. This involved using a lot of my material science knowledge to determine the likelihood of corrosion given running conditions as well as choose metallurgy that could prevent this issue in the future, while keeping pricing in mind.

This summer, I worked on two projects. My first project was in the beginning phase, where I designed, defined, funded and estimated the cost of installing a new parallel eductor system to pull gases off of a reservoir that was causing a compressor to leak. My second project was in the execution phase, so I oversaw the fabrication and installation of new differential pressure transmitters.

Was there a particular challenge you encountered that really pushed your engineering skills?

Much of my internship this summer involved me learning process engineering skills, which was the most challenging given a mechanical engineering background. I think what best prepared me for this in my background was how professors at �鶹��Ѱ��introduce new material and help you build an intuition for engineering problems you've never seen before.

What advice would you have for a student interested in pursuing a similar opportunity?

For any student preparing for an internship in general, my biggest advice is to talk to everyone you can. In addition to communication and teamwork skills being the majority of my evaluation, by talking to people you learn about how they feel about the company, work environment, benefits, and pay - basically whether this job will be for you. For oil and gas internships, I suggest making a list of abbreviations as soon as you get to the job. Refineries are so fast paced and complicated that starting is like drinking out of a firehose!

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Interning with FIRST RF

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 22:10:43 +0000

Interning with FIRST RF Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 09/07/2021 - 16:10

Dario Garcia

Dario Garcia is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. He is currently interning with FIRST RF.

Dario Garcia

Where have you been working this summer and what made them stand out in your internship search?

This summer I had the pleasure of working at FIRST RF! I found the application through Indeed and I was interested in them as they’re an aerospace and antenna/RF company. They also emphasized that I would be working hands on with actual mechanical engineering projects, so that sold me instantly.

What kinds of projects have you been able to contribute to? What does your day to day work look like?

Although a majority of my projects related to proprietary information, I was able to assist my team with many different aspects of their work. I worked on the initial designs and 3D modeling of parts and products, as well as modeling and prototyping of upcoming projects. I was also able to work within the company's production facilities on the assembly of current products.

How did what you've learned through classes show up in your work?

I would 100% say CAD and SolidWorks with its respective certificates. My internship dealt with complex models and parts that were ever evolving and changing. Being well versed in CAD and being a Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA) and Certified SolidWorks Professional (CSWP) allowed me to not only secure the job, but to also contribute to the work right away.

What advice would you have for other students interested in working or interning in a related field?

Be persistent and confident! A lot of these jobs are competitive and may sound intimidating, but just remember that you are getting an education to make you equally as competitive. You may get turned down from some but so many other ones are open as well! During interviews and internships, remain confident. Present yourself how you want and remember how capable you are!

Dario Garcia is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. He is currently interning with FIRST RF.

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Interning with the Colorado Space Grant Consortium

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 15:42:20 +0000

Interning with the Colorado Space Grant Consortium Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/02/2021 - 09:42

Graham Blanco

Graham Blanco is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. He interned with the Colorado Space Grant Consortium during summer 2021.

Graham Blanco

Where are you working this summer and what made them stand out in your search?

I have been working for Colorado Space Grant Consortium. As an employee of Colorado Space Grant, I have been contracted to work on a project for Atomos Space. I found this opportunity through the Colorado Space Grant Consortium website and was excited to pursue it based on the innovative project proposal and needs.

What kinds of projects have you had a chance to work on over the summer?

I have been the project manager and systems engineer on a team of six people designing a small-scale orbital transfer vehicle. I have also had the opportunity to lead the team in designing and assembling a space docking simulator. Day to day is usually creating spreadsheets, planning, communicating to peers, status meetings, design sessions, and allocating resources.

How did what you've learned through classes show up in your work?

Design philosophies and approaches showed up the most for me. Most of the ideas I learned in Component Design regarding component selection were very useful.

What advice do you have for other students interested in working or interning in a related field?

Make sure to take advantage of the resources around you. Ask for help early and often, but also be willing to work through difficult challenges. Project management involves a lot of human skills and can be very helpful in growing as a person.

Graham Blanco is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. He interned with the Colorado Space Grant Consortium during summer 2021.

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Interning with the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 02:22:47 +0000

Interning with the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/30/2021 - 20:22

Natalie Anderson

Natalie Andersonis an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering. She is currently interning with the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics.

Natalie Anderson

Where are you working this summer and what made them stand out in your internship search?

I have been working at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) on East Campus since August 2020. I found the opportunity to be a research assistant on the MCEN-Prof listserv, and was interested in applying because aerospace is an interesting field of mechanical engineering. The job description also emphasized the opportunity for hands-on work and time in the machine shop.

What kinds of projects have you had a chance to work on over the summer?

I have gotten to work on many different aspects of mechanical engineering in this position. Part of my time is spent designing ground-support-equipment (GSE) in Solidworks and manufacturing the parts in the machine shop if they're not too complicated. I also do mechanical stress and vibration analysis in a program called ANSYS. This summer I was also in charge of running my own research project and writing a published paper about it!

Was there a particular problem or challenge that really pushed your engineering skills?

Designing the experiments for my research project was challenging for me, because there was no 'answer' or right way to do things. I had to think about the best way to establish controls and truly isolate the factors I was trying to test. I also had to re-take a lot of data because I messed things up. I gained a lot of experience running this test setup and think future research will go smoother because I've deeveloped better strategies for organization and efficiency.

How did what you've learned through classes show up in your work? Did you have any "aha!" moments when you realized that you could use an equation or skill that you'd learned in class?

Calculating stresses and failure related a lot to Mechanics of Solids, so I am happy I took that course before having this job. Also, I doubt I would have gotten the job without the SolidWorks class! Even though the course focuses on the basics, it helped me get to a place where I could comfortably Google more advanced tools when I needed them.

What advice do you have for other students interested in working or interning in a related field?

Some aerospace internships are very competitive, and you may not get accepted your first few times applying if you don't have relevant experience. Try establishing your credibility with active participation in an engineering club (leadership positions etc.) or by becoming a research assistant (even if it's unpaid, having something on your resume is a huge benefit!).

Natalie Anderson is an undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering. She is currently interning with the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics.

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Interning with L3Harris

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 02:38:59 +0000

Interning with L3Harris Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 08/26/2021 - 20:38

Johnathan Neptune

Johnathan Neptune is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. He interned with L3Harris during summer 2020 and 2021.

Johnathan Neptune

Where are you working this summer and what made them stand out in your internship search?

I have been working for L3Harris at one of their Colorado Springs locations this summer. This is actually the second summer I have worked for this program, and I found out about the opportunity at the Fall Career Fair during my Sophomore year. Going into school, I knew that I wanted to work in the Aerospace and Defense Industry and L3Harris does quite a bit of interesting work in this area. I enjoyed my virtual experience during 2020 and was very excited to come back this year!

What kinds of projects have you had a chance to work on over the summer?

I have been able to contribute to several areas on the project, and though I work primarily as a mechanical engineer, I also assist the Integration and Testing (I&T) Team. I regularly add to the program’s CAD models and technical drawings for both hardware and interconnects. I also assist with redlines and engineering change orders that document required changes and steps needed to alter the project.

How did what you've learned through classes show up in your work? Did you have any "aha!" moments when you realized that you could use an equation or skill that you'd learned in class?

Computer Aided Design and Component Design have both been the most influential college classes I have used during my internship. These basic principles of designing parts and assemblies, and then creating well-documented drawings, has been absolutely crucial to my internship this summer. Many of the same processes and documentation that I learned at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder have either directly or indirectly given me a leg up on processes unique to L3Harris. Additionally, both of these classes emphasized fasteners, which have been common throughout my internship.

What advice do you have for other students interested in working or interning in a related field?

Take all opportunities to apply for positions at the company/companies you are interested in working at. If you are having trouble finding a position in a specific role, expand your search to include different roles at the same locations and programs. I have come to realize lateral movement at companies is commonplace if you prove you are a hard worker and willing to learn. Simply getting a foot in the door with a company or industry is the most difficult part. Once you get a position with a company, make sure to ask lots of questions! Your coworkers will be more than happy to give you advice and information about opportunities, so that you can succeed and be satisfied with your career rather than simply fill a specific position.

Johnathan Neptune is an undergraduate student in mechanical engineering. He interned with L3Harris during summer 2020 and 2021.

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Interning with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 03:00:12 +0000

Interning with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/23/2021 - 21:00

Mia Miller

Mia Miller is a Bachelor's Accelerated Master's (BAM) student in mechanical engineering. She interned with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy during summer 2021.

Mia Miller

Where are you working this summer?

This summer I've been working as a Wind Turbine Blade Design Intern at Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE). I originally started as a student contractor in July 2020. Since then I have worked part-time with the Aerodynamics team and worked with SGRE for my senior design project.

What kinds of projects have you had a chance to work on over the summer?

I have been heavily focused on computational tool development this summer. I'm learning about genetic algorithms and the optimization of blade designs. I am mostly coding in Python with meetings to connect with the other interns and my current team. The interns are from a wide range of disciplines and located nationwide so it has been really great to connect with them when I can.

How did what you've learned through classes show up in your work? Did you have any "aha!" moments when you realized that you could use an equation or skill that you'd learned in class?

Last semester I got to take Automated Mechanical Design Synthesis with Professor MacCurdy which helped prepare me for the algorithms I'm working with this summer. It was an incredible class and has been really fun to learn more about the concepts through my work this summer.

What advice do you have for other students interested in working or interning in a related field?

For those interested in renewable energy there are a lot of opportunities to start learning more about companies that are renewable energy focused. I was really passionate about working in renewable energy and was able to network with people in the industry through MCEN 2000 and the Society of Women Engineers. I think showing a company how passionate you are about the industry can go a long way and having additional background on new advancements in the industry helps demonstrate that.

Mia Miller is a Bachelor's Accelerated Master's (BAM) student in mechanical engineering. She interned with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy during summer 2021.

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