[Music] everyone good afternoon and thanks for
everyone good afternoon and thanks for
everyone good afternoon and thanks for coming to my talk for those of you who
coming to my talk for those of you who
coming to my talk for those of you who don’t know me I graduated in 2016 with
don’t know me I graduated in 2016 with
don’t know me I graduated in 2016 with my mechanical and aerospace engineering
my mechanical and aerospace engineering
my mechanical and aerospace engineering degree I’m currently a graduate student
degree I’m currently a graduate student
degree I’m currently a graduate student here but I live in Chicago so it’s
here but I live in Chicago so it’s
here but I live in Chicago so it’s always good to get back to campus and
always good to get back to campus and
always good to get back to campus and share a little bit of my experience I
share a little bit of my experience I
share a little bit of my experience I was a student athlete here and I was a
was a student athlete here and I was a
was a student athlete here and I was a student entrepreneur but I was a pretty
student entrepreneur but I was a pretty
student entrepreneur but I was a pretty lousy student so I’m pretty happy that
lousy student so I’m pretty happy that
lousy student so I’m pretty happy that they still invited me back to talk here
they still invited me back to talk here
they still invited me back to talk here and I can definitely a was not one of
and I can definitely a was not one of
and I can definitely a was not one of the requirements for being a speaker
the requirements for being a speaker
the requirements for being a speaker here but this I’m glad you guys laughed
here but this I’m glad you guys laughed
here but this I’m glad you guys laughed I wasn’t really bad but you know this
I wasn’t really bad but you know this
I wasn’t really bad but you know this whole journey started about seven years
whole journey started about seven years
whole journey started about seven years ago when I came home from practice and
ago when I came home from practice and
ago when I came home from practice and asked my dad hey Dad you know kind of
asked my dad hey Dad you know kind of
asked my dad hey Dad you know kind of asking for a friend do we have good home
asking for a friend do we have good home
asking for a friend do we have good home insurance
insurance
insurance yes sir like you know what did you blow
yes sir like you know what did you blow
yes sir like you know what did you blow up this time but because I was working
up this time but because I was working
up this time but because I was working on my high school science fair project
on my high school science fair project
on my high school science fair project and I wanted to make sort of a model of
and I wanted to make sort of a model of
and I wanted to make sort of a model of a jet engine combustion chamber and see
a jet engine combustion chamber and see
a jet engine combustion chamber and see if we can improve combustion using
if we can improve combustion using
if we can improve combustion using plasma terms that you can sometimes that
plasma terms that you can sometimes that
plasma terms that you can sometimes that would happen so it’s good that I asked I
would happen so it’s good that I asked I
would happen so it’s good that I asked I ended up taking this project to the
ended up taking this project to the
ended up taking this project to the International Science Fair which I
International Science Fair which I
International Science Fair which I always compared to the Olympics of
always compared to the Olympics of
always compared to the Olympics of science as narrative that sounds and
science as narrative that sounds and
science as narrative that sounds and when I was flying back one of my
when I was flying back one of my
when I was flying back one of my teachers point out the winner and said
teachers point out the winner and said
teachers point out the winner and said can you imagine if in 10 or 15 years
can you imagine if in 10 or 15 years
can you imagine if in 10 or 15 years every aircraft flying is more efficient
every aircraft flying is more efficient
every aircraft flying is more efficient because of something that you invented
because of something that you invented
because of something that you invented pretty cool so when I came here it’s the
pretty cool so when I came here it’s the
pretty cool so when I came here it’s the case I started thinking of ways to
case I started thinking of ways to
case I started thinking of ways to continue to develop this technology and
continue to develop this technology and
continue to develop this technology and originally I was leaning it’s just a
originally I was leaning it’s just a
originally I was leaning it’s just a pure research project right you know
pure research project right you know
pure research project right you know sitting in the lab getting grants with a
sitting in the lab getting grants with a
sitting in the lab getting grants with a professor and then maybe writing some
professor and then maybe writing some
professor and then maybe writing some papers but I was really quickly
papers but I was really quickly
papers but I was really quickly persuaded by some of my mentors that the
persuaded by some of my mentors that the
persuaded by some of my mentors that the best way to pursue this was going to be
best way to pursue this was going to be
best way to pursue this was going to be more like a startup write a
more like a startup write a
more like a startup write a commercialization play something that
commercialization play something that
commercialization play something that would let me keep you know one eye on
would let me keep you know one eye on
would let me keep you know one eye on developing the technology and then one
developing the technology and then one
developing the technology and then one eye on making sure I was doing something
eye on making sure I was doing something
eye on making sure I was doing something practical that people would care about
practical that people would care about
practical that people would care about and hopefully by so I got some funds
and hopefully by so I got some funds
and hopefully by so I got some funds from our innovation center here called
from our innovation center here called
from our innovation center here called pink box built a prototype with lots of
pink box built a prototype with lots of
pink box built a prototype with lots of hot glue and started looking at ways of
hot glue and started looking at ways of
hot glue and started looking at ways of how plasmon flames interacted in you
how plasmon flames interacted in you
how plasmon flames interacted in you know actual practical settings right
know actual practical settings right
know actual practical settings right what can we actually do with this
what can we actually do with this
what can we actually do with this technology and it turns out that one of
technology and it turns out that one of
technology and it turns out that one of the most critical applications of
the most critical applications of
the most critical applications of combustion are jet engines so as you can
combustion are jet engines so as you can
combustion are jet engines so as you can imagine it takes a lot of energy to you
imagine it takes a lot of energy to you
imagine it takes a lot of energy to you know push us through the air at 35,000
know push us through the air at 35,000
know push us through the air at 35,000 feet and 500 miles an hour because it
feet and 500 miles an hour because it
feet and 500 miles an hour because it takes a lot of energy it takes a lot of
takes a lot of energy it takes a lot of
takes a lot of energy it takes a lot of fuel
fuel
fuel lots of fuel cost lots of money so
lots of fuel cost lots of money so
lots of fuel cost lots of money so that’s like 15 billion dollars and uh 30
that’s like 15 billion dollars and uh 30
that’s like 15 billion dollars and uh 30 billion dollars in 2015
billion dollars in 2015
billion dollars in 2015 right so Airlines care a lot about
right so Airlines care a lot about
right so Airlines care a lot about reducing their fuel expenditure even a
reducing their fuel expenditure even a
reducing their fuel expenditure even a little bit so anything you can do to
little bit so anything you can do to
little bit so anything you can do to improve their fuel efficiency an improve
improve their fuel efficiency an improve
improve their fuel efficiency an improve their bottom line you know could be a
their bottom line you know could be a
their bottom line you know could be a really commercially attractive idea so
really commercially attractive idea so
really commercially attractive idea so it’s that was sort of the starting point
it’s that was sort of the starting point
it’s that was sort of the starting point but it turns out that jet engines are
but it turns out that jet engines are
but it turns out that jet engines are really good at burning fuel really
really good at burning fuel really
really good at burning fuel really efficiently anyway you know they’re
efficiently anyway you know they’re
efficiently anyway you know they’re designed really to do three main things
designed really to do three main things
designed really to do three main things number one to never ever ever shut off
number one to never ever ever shut off
number one to never ever ever shut off for any reason right because if they do
for any reason right because if they do
for any reason right because if they do and you’re flying over the ocean and
and you’re flying over the ocean and
and you’re flying over the ocean and everyone’s going swimming and that’s bad
everyone’s going swimming and that’s bad
everyone’s going swimming and that’s bad people don’t pay for that number two –
people don’t pay for that number two –
people don’t pay for that number two – you know generate the thrust that you
you know generate the thrust that you
you know generate the thrust that you need to take off fly around etc and
need to take off fly around etc and
need to take off fly around etc and number three is to be at their maximum
number three is to be at their maximum
number three is to be at their maximum efficiency at your design point which is
efficiency at your design point which is
efficiency at your design point which is cruise right when you’re flying around
cruise right when you’re flying around
cruise right when you’re flying around and the captain says you know you know
and the captain says you know you know
and the captain says you know you know the fasten seatbelt sign is off now
the fasten seatbelt sign is off now
the fasten seatbelt sign is off now that’s where you spend most of your time
that’s where you spend most of your time
that’s where you spend most of your time fly and that’s what engines are really
fly and that’s what engines are really
fly and that’s what engines are really designed for but we’ve all been flying
designed for but we’ve all been flying
designed for but we’ve all been flying and we’ve you know all been stuck when
and we’ve you know all been stuck when
and we’ve you know all been stuck when we’re lap number 26 for departure and
we’re lap number 26 for departure and
we’re lap number 26 for departure and you might be waiting 45 or 30 minutes or
you might be waiting 45 or 30 minutes or
you might be waiting 45 or 30 minutes or even an hour on the runway and that’s
even an hour on the runway and that’s
even an hour on the runway and that’s just like being at a stoplight right
just like being at a stoplight right
just like being at a stoplight right your engines are still running still
your engines are still running still
your engines are still running still burning fuel but you’re not going
burning fuel but you’re not going
burning fuel but you’re not going anywhere and it turns out that it’s not
anywhere and it turns out that it’s not
anywhere and it turns out that it’s not really easy to shut off those engines
really easy to shut off those engines
really easy to shut off those engines and then start them back up sort of like
and then start them back up sort of like
and then start them back up sort of like the new cars do so you know there’s
the new cars do so you know there’s
the new cars do so you know there’s really an issue here where you’re
really an issue here where you’re
really an issue here where you’re burning fuel and you’re not getting
burning fuel and you’re not getting
burning fuel and you’re not getting anything good out of it and if you can
anything good out of it and if you can
anything good out of it and if you can solve that you know that might be
solve that you know that might be
solve that you know that might be something that’s important to the
something that’s important to the
something that’s important to the airlines and it turns out that you know
airlines and it turns out that you know
airlines and it turns out that you know you can sort of compare a jet engine to
you can sort of compare a jet engine to
you can sort of compare a jet engine to a gas stove actually probably a gas
a gas stove actually probably a gas
a gas stove actually probably a gas stove with a hairdryer so don’t try this
stove with a hairdryer so don’t try this
stove with a hairdryer so don’t try this at home because take my word for it I
at home because take my word for it I
at home because take my word for it I did it I actually did it with my
did it I actually did it with my
did it I actually did it with my sister’s hair dryer you essentially jet
sister’s hair dryer you essentially jet
sister’s hair dryer you essentially jet engines they suck in a bunch of air they
engines they suck in a bunch of air they
engines they suck in a bunch of air they compress it they mix it with fuel where
compress it they mix it with fuel where
compress it they mix it with fuel where it burns right and they just shoot it
it burns right and they just shoot it
it burns right and they just shoot it out the back and it’s really difficult
out the back and it’s really difficult
out the back and it’s really difficult to keep a flame lit in this environment
to keep a flame lit in this environment
to keep a flame lit in this environment so that’s where the stove comes in let’s
so that’s where the stove comes in let’s
so that’s where the stove comes in let’s say you know you let your stove when you
say you know you let your stove when you
say you know you let your stove when you turn it to full power if you point a
turn it to full power if you point a
turn it to full power if you point a hairdryer at it you know there’s a good
hairdryer at it you know there’s a good
hairdryer at it you know there’s a good chance that when you’re at full power
chance that when you’re at full power
chance that when you’re at full power you’re probably not gonna be able to
you’re probably not gonna be able to
you’re probably not gonna be able to blow out that flame but if you turn down
blow out that flame but if you turn down
blow out that flame but if you turn down your stove right let’s say to the lowest
your stove right let’s say to the lowest
your stove right let’s say to the lowest setting it’s definitely gonna blow out
setting it’s definitely gonna blow out
setting it’s definitely gonna blow out so it’s the same thing that happens in
so it’s the same thing that happens in
so it’s the same thing that happens in engines right it’s really difficult to
engines right it’s really difficult to
engines right it’s really difficult to keep flames lit especially when you’re
keep flames lit especially when you’re
keep flames lit especially when you’re at low power settings like on the ground
at low power settings like on the ground
at low power settings like on the ground and because of this you know jet engine
and because of this you know jet engine
and because of this you know jet engine manufacturers have only really one
manufacturers have only really one
manufacturers have only really one to play with to control how these
to play with to control how these
to play with to control how these engines run right essentially you can
engines run right essentially you can
engines run right essentially you can only do tricky things with the
only do tricky things with the
only do tricky things with the aerodynamics to make sure you always
aerodynamics to make sure you always
aerodynamics to make sure you always have a place where the flame can stay
have a place where the flame can stay
have a place where the flame can stay lit because you only have one knob to
lit because you only have one knob to
lit because you only have one knob to turn you know if you turn it one way
turn you know if you turn it one way
turn you know if you turn it one way right to maximize safety to make sure
right to maximize safety to make sure
right to maximize safety to make sure this thing never shuts off then you’re
this thing never shuts off then you’re
this thing never shuts off then you’re gonna sacrifice optimum performance
gonna sacrifice optimum performance
gonna sacrifice optimum performance right you’re gonna give up some of your
right you’re gonna give up some of your
right you’re gonna give up some of your fuel consumption at idle right which
fuel consumption at idle right which
fuel consumption at idle right which makes you waste fuel when you’re sitting
makes you waste fuel when you’re sitting
makes you waste fuel when you’re sitting on the ground at an airport but if you
on the ground at an airport but if you
on the ground at an airport but if you cheat and add another knob right you can
cheat and add another knob right you can
cheat and add another knob right you can design better engines right because if
design better engines right because if
design better engines right because if you have another way to keep the flame
you have another way to keep the flame
you have another way to keep the flame lit then you can make sure the end in a
lit then you can make sure the end in a
lit then you can make sure the end in a safe and efficient at you know all
safe and efficient at you know all
safe and efficient at you know all points in the flight and it turns out
points in the flight and it turns out
points in the flight and it turns out that we can get this you know other knob
that we can get this you know other knob
that we can get this you know other knob from using plasma so if you’ve ever seen
from using plasma so if you’ve ever seen
from using plasma so if you’ve ever seen you know a lightning storm you’ve seen
you know a lightning storm you’ve seen
you know a lightning storm you’ve seen plasma we don’t get those too much in
plasma we don’t get those too much in
plasma we don’t get those too much in Ohio but in Florida whereas from we
Ohio but in Florida whereas from we
Ohio but in Florida whereas from we definitely do so plasma is the fourth
definitely do so plasma is the fourth
definitely do so plasma is the fourth state of matter think you have solid
state of matter think you have solid
state of matter think you have solid liquid gas and if you keep adding energy
liquid gas and if you keep adding energy
liquid gas and if you keep adding energy to that gas you start taking off
to that gas you start taking off
to that gas you start taking off electrons off of those atoms right and
electrons off of those atoms right and
electrons off of those atoms right and then you have essentially a soup of
then you have essentially a soup of
then you have essentially a soup of charged particles which has a lot of
charged particles which has a lot of
charged particles which has a lot of energy and it’s really good at bumping
energy and it’s really good at bumping
energy and it’s really good at bumping into things and breaking them that’s
into things and breaking them that’s
into things and breaking them that’s important for us in combustion because
important for us in combustion because
important for us in combustion because in combustion you have these really
in combustion you have these really
in combustion you have these really large organic fuel molecules that need
large organic fuel molecules that need
large organic fuel molecules that need to break up into smaller pieces before
to break up into smaller pieces before
to break up into smaller pieces before they burn right so it’s equally a
they burn right so it’s equally a
they burn right so it’s equally a simpler example it’s sort of like
simpler example it’s sort of like
simpler example it’s sort of like playing with LEGOs if someone gives you
playing with LEGOs if someone gives you
playing with LEGOs if someone gives you they you know lego house and ask you to
they you know lego house and ask you to
they you know lego house and ask you to build a car from those pieces what’s the
build a car from those pieces what’s the
build a car from those pieces what’s the first thing you have to do you have to
first thing you have to do you have to
first thing you have to do you have to take apart those pieces you know block
take apart those pieces you know block
take apart those pieces you know block by block until you end up with you know
by block until you end up with you know
by block until you end up with you know all the blocks disassembled and then you
all the blocks disassembled and then you
all the blocks disassembled and then you can build something new that’s going to
can build something new that’s going to
can build something new that’s going to take you time and it’s going to take you
take you time and it’s going to take you
take you time and it’s going to take you energy so if you were to hit that block
energy so if you were to hit that block
energy so if you were to hit that block with a marble right then you end up with
with a marble right then you end up with
with a marble right then you end up with all of your blocks individual and then
all of your blocks individual and then
all of your blocks individual and then you can grab them and build whatever you
you can grab them and build whatever you
you can grab them and build whatever you want that’s basically what we’re doing
want that’s basically what we’re doing
want that’s basically what we’re doing with plasma we’re using you know set of
with plasma we’re using you know set of
with plasma we’re using you know set of marbles we’re using high speed electrons
marbles we’re using high speed electrons
marbles we’re using high speed electrons to bump into large fuel and air
to bump into large fuel and air
to bump into large fuel and air molecules and those break them up into
molecules and those break them up into
molecules and those break them up into smaller pieces which burn quicker and
smaller pieces which burn quicker and
smaller pieces which burn quicker and more efficiently cool you know that’s
more efficiently cool you know that’s
more efficiently cool you know that’s sort of been known by science for a
sort of been known by science for a
sort of been known by science for a while that plasmas can do that and you
while that plasmas can do that and you
while that plasmas can do that and you can generate plasmas in the lab pretty
can generate plasmas in the lab pretty
can generate plasmas in the lab pretty easily if you have a high voltage power
easily if you have a high voltage power
easily if you have a high voltage power supply it’s basically just an electrical
supply it’s basically just an electrical
supply it’s basically just an electrical discharge across air but the challenge
discharge across air but the challenge
discharge across air but the challenge is really how we get something like this
is really how we get something like this
is really how we get something like this or that into you know something that
or that into you know something that
or that into you know something that looks like this right an incredibly
looks like this right an incredibly
looks like this right an incredibly complex machine that’s designed really
complex machine that’s designed really
complex machine that’s designed really well and doesn’t
well and doesn’t
well and doesn’t much tolerance for change what I settled
much tolerance for change what I settled
much tolerance for change what I settled on with my team was figuring out ways to
on with my team was figuring out ways to
on with my team was figuring out ways to integrate this technology into a part
integrate this technology into a part
integrate this technology into a part that’s already on the engine right so
that’s already on the engine right so
that’s already on the engine right so what we settled on was a fuel injector
what we settled on was a fuel injector
what we settled on was a fuel injector that’s a part that injects fuel right
that’s a part that injects fuel right
that’s a part that injects fuel right it’s it’s in the engine it’s sort of
it’s it’s in the engine it’s sort of
it’s it’s in the engine it’s sort of like a showerhead that sprays fuel into
like a showerhead that sprays fuel into
like a showerhead that sprays fuel into the combustion chamber and we
the combustion chamber and we
the combustion chamber and we essentially worked on figuring out a way
essentially worked on figuring out a way
essentially worked on figuring out a way to put a plasma into this part right a
to put a plasma into this part right a
to put a plasma into this part right a part that already exists in the engine a
part that already exists in the engine a
part that already exists in the engine a part that you could potentially retrofit
part that you could potentially retrofit
part that you could potentially retrofit easily and and then you you know you
easily and and then you you know you
easily and and then you you know you have your plasma exactly where you need
have your plasma exactly where you need
have your plasma exactly where you need now that had somewhat been tried before
now that had somewhat been tried before
now that had somewhat been tried before but there had been some practical
but there had been some practical
but there had been some practical problems and where you put the plasma
problems and where you put the plasma
problems and where you put the plasma how you integrate you know this with a
how you integrate you know this with a
how you integrate you know this with a current fuel injector design how you
current fuel injector design how you
current fuel injector design how you make sure this thing doesn’t you know
make sure this thing doesn’t you know
make sure this thing doesn’t you know last 30 minutes when you need to have
last 30 minutes when you need to have
last 30 minutes when you need to have thousands of hours of flight time you
thousands of hours of flight time you
thousands of hours of flight time you know we think we’ve cracked most of
know we think we’ve cracked most of
know we think we’ve cracked most of these problems we did a lot of tests
these problems we did a lot of tests
these problems we did a lot of tests here at case and as well as NASA Glenn
here at case and as well as NASA Glenn
here at case and as well as NASA Glenn Research Center we have a patent on this
Research Center we have a patent on this
Research Center we have a patent on this technology and we’re still working on it
technology and we’re still working on it
technology and we’re still working on it but we think we’re we’re pretty close
but we think we’re we’re pretty close
but we think we’re we’re pretty close the challenge here was really taking
the challenge here was really taking
the challenge here was really taking this fundamental science right and
this fundamental science right and
this fundamental science right and putting it at the service of a
putting it at the service of a
putting it at the service of a technology and so that’s sort of what
technology and so that’s sort of what
technology and so that’s sort of what your job is as an engineer right take
your job is as an engineer right take
your job is as an engineer right take scientific knowledge and use it to solve
scientific knowledge and use it to solve
scientific knowledge and use it to solve a practical problem I mean the next step
a practical problem I mean the next step
a practical problem I mean the next step was to take you know that solution and
was to take you know that solution and
was to take you know that solution and put it at the service of a product right
put it at the service of a product right
put it at the service of a product right to actually get it into something that
to actually get it into something that
to actually get it into something that can go into the real world and hopefully
can go into the real world and hopefully
can go into the real world and hopefully make something better for someone that
make something better for someone that
make something better for someone that part of the journey was really what I
part of the journey was really what I
part of the journey was really what I always thought of as entrepreneurship
always thought of as entrepreneurship
always thought of as entrepreneurship but more and more I realized that you
but more and more I realized that you
but more and more I realized that you know engineering an entrepreneurship
know engineering an entrepreneurship
know engineering an entrepreneurship sort of blend because it’s not enough to
sort of blend because it’s not enough to
sort of blend because it’s not enough to develop a solution you also have to do
develop a solution you also have to do
develop a solution you also have to do the work of carrying it across the
the work of carrying it across the
the work of carrying it across the finish line and that means that
finish line and that means that
finish line and that means that entrepreneurship has to be involved at
entrepreneurship has to be involved at
entrepreneurship has to be involved at the beginning so you know that so you
the beginning so you know that so you
the beginning so you know that so you know what the solution has to look like
know what the solution has to look like
know what the solution has to look like at the end and engineering has to also
at the end and engineering has to also
at the end and engineering has to also be involved at the end so you know what
be involved at the end so you know what
be involved at the end so you know what you can actually put in an engine so
you can actually put in an engine so
you can actually put in an engine so I’ll show you a little bit of what this
I’ll show you a little bit of what this
I’ll show you a little bit of what this actually looks like and I think this is
actually looks like and I think this is
actually looks like and I think this is going to autoplay basically you know we
going to autoplay basically you know we
going to autoplay basically you know we start a flame just like you would in an
start a flame just like you would in an
start a flame just like you would in an engine and as soon as you you know we
engine and as soon as you you know we
engine and as soon as you you know we turn off the plasma we start decreasing
turn off the plasma we start decreasing
turn off the plasma we start decreasing the amount of fuel right going so this
the amount of fuel right going so this
the amount of fuel right going so this is sort of what you would have when
is sort of what you would have when
is sort of what you would have when you’re at low power waiting in an
you’re at low power waiting in an
you’re at low power waiting in an airport you see the flame starts to get
airport you see the flame starts to get
airport you see the flame starts to get really unhappy it bounces and rounds
really unhappy it bounces and rounds
really unhappy it bounces and rounds right and eventually it extinguishes so
right and eventually it extinguishes so
right and eventually it extinguishes so everyone’s going swimming we’re able to
everyone’s going swimming we’re able to
everyone’s going swimming we’re able to turn it on with plasma and then we can
turn it on with plasma and then we can
turn it on with plasma and then we can actually keep that
actually keep that
actually keep that same flame right or that same flame with
same flame right or that same flame with
same flame right or that same flame with even less fuel lit and what we can
even less fuel lit and what we can
even less fuel lit and what we can actually do is if we can extend the the
actually do is if we can extend the the
actually do is if we can extend the the limits of operation of a flame buyer at
limits of operation of a flame buyer at
limits of operation of a flame buyer at 60% somethings we can run a flame with
60% somethings we can run a flame with
60% somethings we can run a flame with about 60% less fuel than it’s currently
about 60% less fuel than it’s currently
about 60% less fuel than it’s currently possible in real life this could
possible in real life this could
possible in real life this could translate to saving between 1 and 5
translate to saving between 1 and 5
translate to saving between 1 and 5 percent on fuel consumption for an
percent on fuel consumption for an
percent on fuel consumption for an actual airline you know there’s still a
actual airline you know there’s still a
actual airline you know there’s still a lot of work to do I traded my garage for
lot of work to do I traded my garage for
lot of work to do I traded my garage for a lab at Argonne National Laboratory
a lab at Argonne National Laboratory
a lab at Argonne National Laboratory through Department of Energy funded
through Department of Energy funded
through Department of Energy funded program and this sort of my my day job
program and this sort of my my day job
program and this sort of my my day job but it’s been really unfamiliar
but it’s been really unfamiliar
but it’s been really unfamiliar territory right fundamentally I’m an
territory right fundamentally I’m an
territory right fundamentally I’m an engineer not really an entrepreneur so
engineer not really an entrepreneur so
engineer not really an entrepreneur so I’ve had to learn all of that and I’ve
I’ve had to learn all of that and I’ve
I’ve had to learn all of that and I’ve always wanted to compare you know this
always wanted to compare you know this
always wanted to compare you know this unfamiliar entrepreneurship thing to
unfamiliar entrepreneurship thing to
unfamiliar entrepreneurship thing to something that was much more familiar to
something that was much more familiar to
something that was much more familiar to me
me
me right and that’s swimming that was at
right and that’s swimming that was at
right and that’s swimming that was at least 20 hours of my week for the past
least 20 hours of my week for the past
least 20 hours of my week for the past over 10 years and actually a reporter
over 10 years and actually a reporter
over 10 years and actually a reporter asked me once you know how do you how do
asked me once you know how do you how do
asked me once you know how do you how do you think swimming gets you ready for
you think swimming gets you ready for
you think swimming gets you ready for you know all your public speaking you do
you know all your public speaking you do
you know all your public speaking you do is an entrepreneur and standing in front
is an entrepreneur and standing in front
is an entrepreneur and standing in front of big crowds and I was like well yeah
of big crowds and I was like well yeah
of big crowds and I was like well yeah you know in swimming I stand in front of
you know in swimming I stand in front of
you know in swimming I stand in front of many more people wearing nothing but a
many more people wearing nothing but a
many more people wearing nothing but a speedo so when I get to do it in a
speedo so when I get to do it in a
speedo so when I get to do it in a business suit you know it’s it’s much
business suit you know it’s it’s much
business suit you know it’s it’s much easier this was one of those quotes that
easier this was one of those quotes that
easier this was one of those quotes that really doesn’t play well in a serious
really doesn’t play well in a serious
really doesn’t play well in a serious article at all so then I learned that
article at all so then I learned that
article at all so then I learned that anything you say on the record you know
anything you say on the record you know
anything you say on the record you know can actually go in an article so lesson
can actually go in an article so lesson
can actually go in an article so lesson lesson definitely learn but I’ll leave
lesson definitely learn but I’ll leave
lesson definitely learn but I’ll leave you guys with with your for concrete
you guys with with your for concrete
you guys with with your for concrete points of what I have taken from my life
points of what I have taken from my life
points of what I have taken from my life as a student athlete to my life as a
as a student athlete to my life as a
as a student athlete to my life as a student entrepreneur and hopefully I’ll
student entrepreneur and hopefully I’ll
student entrepreneur and hopefully I’ll graduate and be just an entrepreneur
graduate and be just an entrepreneur
graduate and be just an entrepreneur number one is always be the most
number one is always be the most
number one is always be the most prepared right anyone can tell you to be
prepared right anyone can tell you to be
prepared right anyone can tell you to be prepared but you really have to be the
prepared but you really have to be the
prepared but you really have to be the most repair and right in assuming when
most repair and right in assuming when
most repair and right in assuming when you step up on the blocks at meat you
you step up on the blocks at meat you
you step up on the blocks at meat you have to know that you did more than
have to know that you did more than
have to know that you did more than anyone else in your heat right than any
anyone else in your heat right than any
anyone else in your heat right than any of your competitors to get ready and
of your competitors to get ready and
of your competitors to get ready and that’s the same in entrepreneurship when
that’s the same in entrepreneurship when
that’s the same in entrepreneurship when you walk into a meeting you have to know
you walk into a meeting you have to know
you walk into a meeting you have to know more about your technology your market
more about your technology your market
more about your technology your market your financials and your product than
your financials and your product than
your financials and your product than anyone else in that meeting if not it’s
anyone else in that meeting if not it’s
anyone else in that meeting if not it’s just not going to work out well right
just not going to work out well right
just not going to work out well right there’s there’s no faking that you get
there’s there’s no faking that you get
there’s there’s no faking that you get in front of enough smart people they’re
in front of enough smart people they’re
in front of enough smart people they’re going to know when when you’re making
going to know when when you’re making
going to know when when you’re making things up number two surround yourself
things up number two surround yourself
things up number two surround yourself with a great team
with a great team
with a great team see some in the back here obviously was
see some in the back here obviously was
see some in the back here obviously was really fortunate to have a great team
really fortunate to have a great team
really fortunate to have a great team here and I’ve also built a great team at
here and I’ve also built a great team at
here and I’ve also built a great team at FTC plasma actually three of these are
FTC plasma actually three of these are
FTC plasma actually three of these are student athletes and
student athletes and
student athletes and unfortunate to work with other great
unfortunate to work with other great
unfortunate to work with other great teams at other institutions that we’ve
teams at other institutions that we’ve
teams at other institutions that we’ve we’ve done some testing with you know
we’ve done some testing with you know
we’ve done some testing with you know fundamentally the idea is to complement
fundamentally the idea is to complement
fundamentally the idea is to complement skills that you don’t have and surround
skills that you don’t have and surround
skills that you don’t have and surround yourself with people that are going to
yourself with people that are going to
yourself with people that are going to push you
push you
push you number three is be passionate right
number three is be passionate right
number three is be passionate right entrepreneurship like being a student
entrepreneurship like being a student
entrepreneurship like being a student athlete is really really hard so if you
athlete is really really hard so if you
athlete is really really hard so if you don’t have this internal drive that’s
don’t have this internal drive that’s
don’t have this internal drive that’s pushing you towards achieving your goals
pushing you towards achieving your goals
pushing you towards achieving your goals you’re never gonna do it when things are
you’re never gonna do it when things are
you’re never gonna do it when things are getting tough right you know when you’re
getting tough right you know when you’re
getting tough right you know when you’re sore and you can’t get out of bed or
sore and you can’t get out of bed or
sore and you can’t get out of bed or when you know things start breaking in
when you know things start breaking in
when you know things start breaking in the lab in front of really important
the lab in front of really important
the lab in front of really important people that needed to see this work if
people that needed to see this work if
people that needed to see this work if you don’t believe in what you’re trying
you don’t believe in what you’re trying
you don’t believe in what you’re trying to do and you’re not very passionate
to do and you’re not very passionate
to do and you’re not very passionate about it you’re not going to be able to
about it you’re not going to be able to
about it you’re not going to be able to get through all the obstacles and the
get through all the obstacles and the
get through all the obstacles and the fourth and the most important one it
fourth and the most important one it
fourth and the most important one it doesn’t make much sense now but I’ll
doesn’t make much sense now but I’ll
doesn’t make much sense now but I’ll I’ll get to it it’s get after it right
I’ll get to it it’s get after it right
I’ll get to it it’s get after it right there’s something our coach would always
there’s something our coach would always
there’s something our coach would always say to us here and you know once one so
say to us here and you know once one so
say to us here and you know once one so you you have passion right but then you
you you have passion right but then you
you you have passion right but then you have to apply that passion into doing
have to apply that passion into doing
have to apply that passion into doing something and getting after it in this
something and getting after it in this
something and getting after it in this context really means using sort of
context really means using sort of
context really means using sort of everything you have to go after your
everything you have to go after your
everything you have to go after your goal and you can do that because you’re
goal and you can do that because you’re
goal and you can do that because you’re passionate about it we’re getting after
passionate about it we’re getting after
passionate about it we’re getting after it is the actual you know activity the
it is the actual you know activity the
it is the actual you know activity the actual verb of doing that right so in
actual verb of doing that right so in
actual verb of doing that right so in the pool it means giving everything you
the pool it means giving everything you
the pool it means giving everything you have and in entrepreneurship it means
have and in entrepreneurship it means
have and in entrepreneurship it means putting in lots of sleepless nights you
putting in lots of sleepless nights you
putting in lots of sleepless nights you know giving up social events trying to
know giving up social events trying to
know giving up social events trying to work as hard as possible to turn your
work as hard as possible to turn your
work as hard as possible to turn your technological vision into a reality now
technological vision into a reality now
technological vision into a reality now you know I absolutely love being an
you know I absolutely love being an
you know I absolutely love being an entrepreneur but I think the thing to
entrepreneur but I think the thing to
entrepreneur but I think the thing to take away from this talk is that you
take away from this talk is that you
take away from this talk is that you know there’s things that are applicable
know there’s things that are applicable
know there’s things that are applicable to every you know possible career path
to every you know possible career path
to every you know possible career path that you can have here as engineers we
that you can have here as engineers we
that you can have here as engineers we learn about you know different
learn about you know different
learn about you know different conservation laws right conservation of
conservation laws right conservation of
conservation laws right conservation of energy conservation of mass conservation
energy conservation of mass conservation
energy conservation of mass conservation of species but I think in this context
of species but I think in this context
of species but I think in this context there’s there’s another one and it’s
there’s there’s another one and it’s
there’s there’s another one and it’s conservation of hard work right so if
conservation of hard work right so if
conservation of hard work right so if you put in hard work anywhere and you
you put in hard work anywhere and you
you put in hard work anywhere and you focus on being better than your
focus on being better than your
focus on being better than your competitors right doing things better
competitors right doing things better
competitors right doing things better and harder than anyone else you know
and harder than anyone else you know
and harder than anyone else you know eventually those results will come they
eventually those results will come they
eventually those results will come they might not be when you expect they might
might not be when you expect they might
might not be when you expect they might not be you know when you want but
not be you know when you want but
not be you know when you want but eventually they’ll come so I think you
eventually they’ll come so I think you
eventually they’ll come so I think you know even though being entrepreneur is
know even though being entrepreneur is
know even though being entrepreneur is great you can take that lesson to
great you can take that lesson to
great you can take that lesson to anywhere in your life because you know
anywhere in your life because you know
anywhere in your life because you know not everyone should be an entrepreneur
not everyone should be an entrepreneur
not everyone should be an entrepreneur just like
just like
just like not everyone a team should be a sprinter
not everyone a team should be a sprinter
not everyone a team should be a sprinter as much as I would have loved to be a
as much as I would have loved to be a
as much as I would have loved to be a sprinter as a distance swimmer you know
sprinter as a distance swimmer you know
sprinter as a distance swimmer you know that’s not how you win meats you know
that’s not how you win meats you know
that’s not how you win meats you know not everyone commune intrapreneur not
not everyone commune intrapreneur not
not everyone commune intrapreneur not everyone can be a doctor
everyone can be a doctor
everyone can be a doctor not everyone can be a lawyer because we
not everyone can be a lawyer because we
not everyone can be a lawyer because we would have terms and conditions on
would have terms and conditions on
would have terms and conditions on everything you know I think everyone has
everything you know I think everyone has
everything you know I think everyone has has their the role to play in this world
has their the role to play in this world
has their the role to play in this world where your your your passions and your
where your your your passions and your
where your your your passions and your talent align with some sort of you know
talent align with some sort of you know
talent align with some sort of you know common good but the things to take away
common good but the things to take away
common good but the things to take away from entrepreneurship is how you push
from entrepreneurship is how you push
from entrepreneurship is how you push forward new innovative ideas in complex
forward new innovative ideas in complex
forward new innovative ideas in complex organization so an entrepreneurship that
organization so an entrepreneurship that
organization so an entrepreneurship that means selling people on funding you on
means selling people on funding you on
means selling people on funding you on partnering with you and buying your
partnering with you and buying your
partnering with you and buying your technology but it can also mean you know
technology but it can also mean you know
technology but it can also mean you know selling your boss on starting a new
selling your boss on starting a new
selling your boss on starting a new project it can mean selling your pie on
project it can mean selling your pie on
project it can mean selling your pie on a new angle for research could even mean
a new angle for research could even mean
a new angle for research could even mean selling your professor on giving you an
selling your professor on giving you an
selling your professor on giving you an extension on an assignment right
extension on an assignment right
extension on an assignment right fundamentally all those things are types
fundamentally all those things are types
fundamentally all those things are types of entrepreneurship as President Obama
of entrepreneurship as President Obama
of entrepreneurship as President Obama told me once you know entrepreneurship
told me once you know entrepreneurship
told me once you know entrepreneurship is all about having an idea work and
is all about having an idea work and
is all about having an idea work and working to make it a reality and that’s
working to make it a reality and that’s
working to make it a reality and that’s also the essence of the American dream
also the essence of the American dream
also the essence of the American dream but I think that’s also the essence of
but I think that’s also the essence of
but I think that’s also the essence of what we do as athletes right we have an
what we do as athletes right we have an
what we do as athletes right we have an idea so a goal and we work every day in
idea so a goal and we work every day in
idea so a goal and we work every day in practice to make it a reality
practice to make it a reality
practice to make it a reality and you know this is not just about
and you know this is not just about
and you know this is not just about being a Salesman
being a Salesman
being a Salesman right it’s it’s about generating value
right it’s it’s about generating value
right it’s it’s about generating value and communicating it effectively so
and communicating it effectively so
and communicating it effectively so although you know while what I talk
although you know while what I talk
although you know while what I talk about this plasma stuff airplanes jet
about this plasma stuff airplanes jet
about this plasma stuff airplanes jet fuel that sounds really cool
fuel that sounds really cool
fuel that sounds really cool you know fundamentally make a really
you know fundamentally make a really
you know fundamentally make a really small part of a really complex system is
small part of a really complex system is
small part of a really complex system is it going to do important things for
it going to do important things for
it going to do important things for aviation hopefully is it going to be a
aviation hopefully is it going to be a
aviation hopefully is it going to be a game-changer and how we think about
game-changer and how we think about
game-changer and how we think about combustion and other industries maybe do
combustion and other industries maybe do
combustion and other industries maybe do I get really fired up about it
I get really fired up about it
I get really fired up about it definitely yeah some people are growing
definitely yeah some people are growing
definitely yeah some people are growing because they’ve heard me make that joke
because they’ve heard me make that joke
because they’ve heard me make that joke at least once a week but you know the
at least once a week but you know the
at least once a week but you know the ideas are only part of the work right
ideas are only part of the work right
ideas are only part of the work right the the real essence of the problem is
the the real essence of the problem is
the the real essence of the problem is actually you know doing the work anyone
actually you know doing the work anyone
actually you know doing the work anyone can have a good idea all of you can
can have a good idea all of you can
can have a good idea all of you can absolutely have a good idea and you know
absolutely have a good idea and you know
absolutely have a good idea and you know tackle these sort of big problems in our
tackle these sort of big problems in our
tackle these sort of big problems in our world but remember to follow that with
world but remember to follow that with
world but remember to follow that with with hard work right I think there’s a
with hard work right I think there’s a
with hard work right I think there’s a lot of romanticized ideas about
lot of romanticized ideas about
lot of romanticized ideas about entrepreneurship but you know those can
entrepreneurship but you know those can
entrepreneurship but you know those can definitely be motivational but that’s
definitely be motivational but that’s
definitely be motivational but that’s maybe not the best motivation right I
maybe not the best motivation right I
maybe not the best motivation right I think we should definitely look for for
think we should definitely look for for
think we should definitely look for for those areas in which we can do
those areas in which we can do
those areas in which we can do meaningful work right you know I hope
meaningful work right you know I hope
meaningful work right you know I hope our generation as Millennials we’re not
our generation as Millennials we’re not
our generation as Millennials we’re not just known for making apps and creating
just known for making apps and creating
just known for making apps and creating companies that turn into unicorns you
companies that turn into unicorns you
companies that turn into unicorns you know there’s there’s big problems that
know there’s there’s big problems that
know there’s there’s big problems that we can tackle together think clean
we can tackle together think clean
we can tackle together think clean energy national security and sustainable
energy national security and sustainable
energy national security and sustainable development terrain diseases right
development terrain diseases right
development terrain diseases right that’s that’s all something that that we
that’s that’s all something that that we
that’s that’s all something that that we can do if we choose to to you work hard
can do if we choose to to you work hard
can do if we choose to to you work hard and solve problems that are meaningful
and solve problems that are meaningful
and solve problems that are meaningful even if they’re difficult
even if they’re difficult
even if they’re difficult so I guess my my challenge to you guys
so I guess my my challenge to you guys
so I guess my my challenge to you guys is to you know find the big problems
is to you know find the big problems
is to you know find the big problems work to solve them and get after it so
work to solve them and get after it so
work to solve them and get after it so I’ll leave you with that
”
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