In the second installment of the Meet the Spring 2021 RAPID Interns spotlight series, we are highlighting three new participating interns in the Spring 2021 program. Scroll down to learn more about T.A. Sluis, an intern at IntraMicron and an undergraduate student at Auburn University; Xiaoqing Cai, a 3rd-year undergraduate student at Texas A&M University; and Cam Armstrong, a Ph.D. candidate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
T.A. Sluis
T.A. Sluis, a senior chemical engineering student at Auburn University, is working on two projects entitled "Microfibruous Entrapped Sorbents for Gas Separation and Ion Exchange (8.4)" and "Modular Catalytic Partial Oxidation Reactors Using Microstructured Catalyst Structures with Combined High Thermal Conductivity and Flame Extinction Capacity (8.9)" with IntraMicron. T.A.'s project tasks include producing microfibrous media for reactors and sorbent beds that enhances the heat and mass transfer properties of several chemical processes, such as CO2/CH4 separations and Cs+ ion removal from nuclear wastewater. The group at IntraMicron is also in the process of refitting a modularized 100MSCFD pilot natural gas sweetening plant to treat a very different sour gas stream.
What are your career aspirations?
"I intend to apply my understanding of manufacturing and process intensification to the biochemical engineering field. The application of PI to dynamic biochemical processes would be the perfect challenge for the knowledge that I have been given through the RAPID program as well as my interests in biochemistry."
What are your thoughts on the RAPID Intern Program so far?
"The RAPID Intern Program has introduced me to the innovation associated with process intensification as well as the role of PI in the chemical processing industry. Coupled with the practical application that I have received at IntraMicron, the RAPID program has allowed me to develop technical and leadership skills that will equip me to enter the professional industry with a solution-oriented mindset."
Xiaoqing Cai
Xiaoqing Cai, an undergraduate student at Texas A&M, is working on a project called "Inherently Safer Design of Intensified Reaction Systems [under RAPID Project 9.3: SYNOPSIS – Synthesis of Operable Process Intensification Systems" in the Pistikopoulos Research Group. Xiaoqing's main job is to model, design, and optimize chemical processes using Aspen while incorporating model-based inherent analysis. Also, Xiaoqing will investigate how different process modularization and intensification methods will impact reactor inherent safety performance.
What are your career aspirations?
"I’m aspired to explore different fields of chemical engineering to increase my professional knowledge and become familiar with the industry. With the skills and experiences I obtained, I’m able to determine my career path and become a qualified engineer."
What are your thoughts on the RAPID Intern Program so far?
"Rapid Intern program provides professional PI courses while improving student’s critical thinking and presentation skills. The experience is valuable to build connections between members and determine the career goal in the future."
Cam Armstrong
Cam Armstrong, a 4th-year Ph.D. candidate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, is working on a project entitled "Thermal Oscillations in Reaction Engineering" in the Teixeira Lab. Cam is working towards developing and validating a transient microsystem for catalytic reactions. If it works, it will be a major step toward unlocking an entirely new pathway for catalytic reaction engineering.
What are your career aspirations?
"I hope to work in R&D in the chemical industry dealing with reaction engineering and/or addressing renewable energy challenges. My time at WPI has taught me that if you have a strong understanding of the fundamental controlling phenomena then there are creative solutions to big problems and I want to maintain that creative-thinking approach in my work in the future."
What are your thoughts on the RAPID Intern Program so far?
"This program has provided me with a unique perspective on process intensification that I think few chemical engineers have early on. I really didn’t know much about the critical applications of PI coming into this program, but now it’s clear to see how my own research squarely fits into this paradigm. I’ve been exposed to many non-traditional reactor designs and have begun to develop a mindset to creatively and perhaps radically think about traditional chemical engineering issues. It’s obvious that this program aims to not just teach budding engineers about PI, but to build well-rounded professionals through virtual courses, webinars, and regular accountability meetings."
*The RAPID Intern Program is an exciting opportunity for students working with RAPID members. It is a virtual PI leadership program which overlays on the work students are already doing at RAPID member organizations and provides students with PI leadership training and professional development skill-building opportunities like networking, career discovery, and public speaking/presenting. Click here for more information and to nominate a student.