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Colin K

- Research Program Mentor

PhD candidate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Expertise

Engineering, renewable energy, energy storage, energy policy, electricity markets, mechanical design, fabrication and design for manufacture

Bio

I'm currently pursuing my PhD in Mechanical Engineering here at MIT and my work is focused on heat transfer, mass transfer, and high-temperature energy conversion. I've worked on a number of energy related projects throughout my time here including solar thermophotovoltaic energy conversion systems and thermal energy storage. My interests lay in addressing climate change through the development of energy technologies capable of reducing the world’s reliance on fossil fuels. Besides my research, I've been a part of two start-up companies as both a contributor and a founder. I worked on battery cooling and integration for Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, a company founded to investigate Elon Musk’s Hyperloop concept with a crowd collaboration approach. I also co-founded and acted as CTO for a renewable energy company, Eden GeoPower, focused on repurposing non-producing oil and gas wells for geothermal energy generation using an organic Rankine cycle. I also make my own hard cider, have done a number of woodworking projects, and have a black cat named Houdini.

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Energy arbitrage, how to save money and the planet with batteries

This project would consist of building a device and writing software to charge a battery pack when electricity demand and price is low, and use the energy when demand and price is high. The software would scrape data from local energy suppliers and this system could contribute to the optimal usage of renewable energy resources, as well as saving the user money.

Mechanical plants, local CO2 capture and storage for improved quality of life

This project would consist of developing a device to pull CO2 from the air in an enclosed space, like a bedroom. It would explore the current CO2 capture technologies and implement a low cost option that could actually store the CO2 in some way

Coding skills

Matlab

Teaching experience

I tutored one of the custodial staff here at MIT in English for 2 years. I mentored younger graduate students in the lab as part of an ongoing research effort.

Credentials

Work experience

Eden GeoPower (2017 - 2017)
CTO/Co-Founder
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (2015 - 2016)
Engineering Specialist
MPR Associates (2014 - 2014)
Summer Engineer

Education

Georgia Institute of Technology
BS Bachelor of Science (2016)
Mechanical Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MS Master of Science (2018)
Mechanical Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
PhD Doctor of Philosophy candidate
Mechanical Engineering

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