Intern: Spray Drying and Industrial Decarbonization

In 2023, the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) joined SRI, bringing together two iconic Silicon Valley research organizations to build, expand, and scale capabilities, and offer an even more diverse technology set for our government and commercial customers. It formed the foundation for SRI’s sixth division – the Future Concepts division. With expertise across numerous areas, including developing solutions for a more sustainable world and creating a digital future for the workplace, the division puts a premium on developing integrated concepts for complex problems and driving and catalyzing collaboration across SRI. The labs in the Future Concepts division focus on basic research and real-world applications by creating and maturing breakthrough technologies.

The Hardware Research and Technology Laboratory (HRTL) is a group of multi-disciplinary scientists and engineers who enjoy the opportunity to invent and develop new technologies, foster innovation, and launch new businesses. Research conducted by HRTL spans a wide range of technologies, including: composites, carbon capture, emissions reduction, additive manufacturing, sensor technology, amorphous and polycrystalline silicon systems, x-ray imaging, optoelectronic semiconductors, UV-VIS lasers and LEDs, compact optical sensing systems, life-science and medical instrumentation, and spray processing systems. We are currently seeking an intern to contribute our work on developing a novel atomization system (Filament Extension Atomization) to help decarbonize the food and beverage segment by reducing energy consumption in spray drying by 50%.

• Developing experimental campaigns to study process parameters
• Designing and building complex large scale drying systems
• Analyzing energy and carbon reductions from innovative drying technologies
• Assessing market potential across the food industry
• Providing design input and doing experiments to assess potential FEA design options
• Characterizing non-Newtonian fluids
• Characterizing materials, devices, and systems
• Using a variety of metrology tools including optical and phase doppler systems to measure drop size distributions
• Performing process modeling of heat and mass transfer within a unit process
• Assessment of powder rheology and morphology
• Communication and coordination with other team members across a wide range of disciplines

• Current PhD student in Mechanical Engineering, Material Science, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or related field
• Due to government contract requirements candidates must be a US Citizen
• Experience with fluid mechanics, thermal systems, spray drying systems, or food products
• Strong experimental expertise, with the ability to formulate an experimental design
• Expertise in thermal/fluid modeling
• Track record of scientific achievement
• The ability to communicate results internally and to the larger scientific community
• Experience with technoeconomic and lifecycle analysis and challenges in industrial decarbonization highly preferred
• Must be able to lift up to 25lbs

The salary range is: $40-$45/hr. Salary ranges will vary and are based on several factors, including geographic location, market competitiveness and equity amongst internal employees in similar roles. Positions may also qualify for SRI's Pay for Outstanding Performance program or the annual Performance Based Compensation program. SRI also has a competitive benefits package, to view details please go to https://www.sri.com/resources/benefits/.

SRI International, an over 75-year strong pioneering research institute, has a rich history supporting government and industry. Our innovations have created new industries, billions of dollars in market value and lasting benefits to society. SRI is organized around broad disciplines and capabilities, with research and development divisions and labs to groups who excel at identifying new opportunities, developing products and creating custom solutions. Our organization is driven by impact - delivering unique solutions for the world's important challenges and transforming ideas into reality for clients and partners.