AETC is celebrating the work of their summer 2021 student interns. These interns come from a multitude of academic backgrounds and have worked on a large variety of projects, from working with clients to mission-critical engineering work. Meet our interns and learn about the work they’ve done this summer!
Sydney Hughes
Where and what are you studying?
I’m a rising senior at Princeton University studying chemical engineering with a minor in sustainable energy.
What have you worked on at AETC?
At AETC, I have worked on so many projects. I’ve done a lot of work on making batteries and optimizing their performance, which I’ve found really interesting. I’ve also worked on refining distillation analysis methods for finding chemical compositions of different graphite compounds in addition to designing experiments for analyzing the degradation of meshes used in fuel cells. Lastly, I’ve done chemical testing and analyses for many graphite samples and presented my results to clients.
Nathan Roden
Where and what are you studying?
I’m studying at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and pursuing a BS in Chemistry with a Minor in Geology.
What have you worked on at AETC?
This summer, I was trained on how to use multiple instruments for a wide variety of material characterizations, worked on several projects to help companies create patents, learned how to work efficiently in group-oriented projects, and assisted clients directly with inquires and follow ups.
Jarrett Prchal
Where and what are you studying?
I am studying mechanical engineering at Rice University.
What have you worked on at AETC?
This summer I worked on a few different projects. I primarily worked with a client to develop a full-scale version of the pilot plants we have at AETC for carbon coated and expanded graphite, including developing equipment lists, process flow diagrams, and identifying potential hazards. I also worked on precision measurements to help develop a mold within very tight specifications for a separate client. Additionally, I helped with internal work to ready AETC to move locations, including the mapping of existing components in a new location and the placement of new components.
Ramya Gandhi
Where and what are you studying?
I’m studying at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign at the Grainger College of Engineering.
I’m majoring in Systems Engineering & Design with a minor in Hoeft Technology & Management.
What have you worked on at AETC?
This summer I have done engineering design work. We have put together plans for the new building on the plumbing, electrical, and mechanical levels to ensure a smooth transition of all of the equipment. I have also worked on constructing a furnace from the top down, taking measurements and building it from the outside and then engineering the inside based on our needs. I have also had the opportunity to practice professional communications as I worked with vendors about quotes on equipment for ourselves and for clients.
Anna Doninger
Where and what are you studying?
I am a rising senior at Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY, studying Foreign Language and International Studies (FLIS for short) with a specialization in Spanish and a minor in Anthropology.
What have you worked on at AETC?
Having been here for the past 6 summers, I have worked on plenty of different things, but this summer in particular I have had a role in many projects including technical writing in the forms of proposals and business exchanges, as well as internal auditing, preventative maintenance upkeep, data gathering and analysis, preparation of presentations, discussions with clients, lab work to include the characterization of many materials using tap density, particle size analysis, loss on ignition, Scott volume, etc. I have also had my hand at optical microscopy and other various tasks involving computer work with data. I have also worked on an economic and market analysis for a few clients.
Kyle Keogh
Where and what are you studying?
I study Engineering Mechanics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
What have you worked on at AETC?
During my summer at AETC, I was actively involved in a wide variety of projects. I got hands-on experience with mold design by working with a team of talented engineers to develop molds for custom gaskets made of natural rubber. On the same project, I worked with profile projectors and various other equipment to precisely measure the produced parts to ensure they were within spec. Accurately producing extremely tightly toleranced parts proved to be easier said than done and figuring out how to solve the problem was an amazing learning experience.
On some of my other projects I did extensive computer aided modeling with Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks. I would work with my colleagues to go through the entire design process from brainstorming solutions to the problem to modeling parts to prototyping. With the help of the various CAD software and my peers I developed various jigs, molds and parts.
Overall it was an extremely interesting and informative summer where I got to experience a wide variety of engineering roles. I look forward to applying everything I learned at AETC in my career as an engineer.
Julia Ivaniv
Where and what are you studying?
I am a fourth-year student at the Illinois Institute of Technology. I am studying biomedical engineering and pursuing my master’s in biomedical data science and modeling.
What have you worked on at AETC?
I have worked on a variety of tasks at AETC including drafting proposals, project reports, and newsletters, presenting findings and data to clients, calculating mass balances, and conducting several different analyses including laser diffraction particle size analysis, tap density, bulk density, screen analysis, and optical imaging. I was also able to understand the implications of the results of these analyses. It was so interesting to provide support to the core engineering team assigned to a project and learn more about what they were doing.
Andres Martinez
Where and what are you studying?
I’m currently studying Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
What have you worked on at AETC?
During my time at AETC, I was able to learn about different characterization techniques when analyzing graphite samples. AETC was also my first internship opportunity, so I was also able to learn more about what it is like to work in an industry lab. I look forward to being able to expand my knowledge and further my growth while working at AETC.
Maxwell Abramov
Where and what are you studying?
I attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and study Chemical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science.
What have you worked on at AETC?
This summer I was trained in various classification and sizing methods that I used in order to compile data on different materials for clients. Additionally, I worked with another employee to carbon coat and heat treat various materials. Finally, I worked on comparing and analyzing several process flow diagrams in order to make sure the customer received a quality product.
AETC is thankful for the great contributions of all of these interns to our work, and we look forward to welcoming more new interns and staff in the future. AETC is open year-round for internships and permanent positions. See our website’s hiring page at usaenergytech.com/employment or visit https://joinhandshake.com/ for more details and current opportunities.