Spark Thermionics

Details

Positions: Mechanical Engineer
Location: Berkeley, CA
Innovation Area: Generation and Conversion
Position Type: TomKat Center-supported
Compensation: $7,500
Internship Term: 8 weeks

Apply Here

Our goal is to develop globally transformative heat-to-electricity conversion based on thermionics. Thermionic energy conversion has the potential to leapfrog competing methods, but has been largely neglected for decades. Spark is applying modern materials and 21st century microfabrication to form a new class of thermionic converters to enable efficient, modular power in a package that can be scaled from watts to megawatts. We are essentially building a power plant on a chip. A generator that can efficiently convert any fuel to electricity at 1/10th the size and weight of the state-of-the-art.

Responsibilities (may include one or more of the following)

Design, build, and commission test stands to characterize the performance of state-of-the-art thermionic power generators for harsh environments
Perform FEA Fluid simulations of high-temperature heat exchangers
Build small-scale heat exchangers based on the results of simulations

Who Should Apply

Self-motivated mechanical engineers and hands-on physicists

Required Expertise

A solid foundation of mechanical and physical knowledge for rapid prototyping and “back-of-the-envelope” feasibility
CAD design (Solidworks preferred) and part development
Machining (Incl. lathe & mill)

Preferred Skills/Majors