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Environmental Engineering: Hydrogen Cell Drone Internship - POSITION FILLED


Environmental Sustainability Internship

Environmental Engineering: DEVELOPMENT OF HYDROGEN POWERED DRONE INTERN

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION

With electric drones only having a flight time of 20 minutes there is huge potential for hydrogen powered drones.

This position will require an individual who will aide research and development of hydrogen powered drones. The intern will be looking at hydrogen fuel cells. A basic understanding of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, component design and power electronics are expected.

The intern will investigate current technologies to:

  1. Identify drone size and battery pack

  2. Develop fuel cell stack and hydrogen storage system

  3. Design power electronic devices

The intern will be expected to integrate the fuel cell power module and hydrogen storage with drones to demonstrate its feasibility. The intern will also help optimize these systems to improve efficiency and packaging design. Data analysis will be key, as the intern will perform life-cycle and cost analysis to analyze advantages and disadvantages of different batter systems. The intern must be a team player; team meetings will occur weekly. A final presentation and report is expected at the end of the internship to illustrate the results. The internship will require a commitment of 8 hours a week and will last 10-14 weeks. The internships will begin January 10th, 2017. The compensation will be $14/hour. This is a paid internship that will provide you with invaluable experiences and professional development opportunities.

As an intern you will report directly to:

-Po-Ya Abel Chuang, who will act as your on-site supervisor for this internship.

-Nicholas Conte, Sustainability Coordinator, who will assist in developing, planning, and implementing the program and will act as a sustainability peer-to-peer throughout the duration of this internship.

Primary Duties:

  • Identify drone size & battery pack

  • Develop fuel cell stack and hydrogen storage system

  • Design power electronic devices

  • Integrate fuel cell power module and hydrogen storage with drone

  • Optimize systems to improve packing efficiency and design

  • Formulate a final presentation and report highlighting results

Secondary Duties:

  • Form a cooperative, working relationship with students and staff

  • Meet regularly with both supervisors to provide updates and discuss program development and implementation

  • Give a presentation to high school students detailing your internship

  • Weekly team meetings to facilitate team work, critical thinking and communications

MINIMAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION

  • Strong interest in sustainability and communications

  • Excellent organizational skills including the ability to handle multiple tasks and job functions

  • Maintain excellent attendance

  • Be prompt and reliable

  • Act responsibly in a professional office work environment

  • Demonstrate excellent teamwork skills and demeanor

  • Proficient with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

  • Strong writing and editing skills

  • Detail oriented

  • Demonstrate initiative and creativity

  • Ability to work proactively and independently

  • Ability to work and coordinate goals in a team

  • Ability to meet deadlines

  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher

  • Engineering background highly preferred

  • Students have been enrolled for at least one semester at the time of application

‪How to Apply

  • ‪Send your resume and a cover letter describing your skills and experience and why they’re a fit for the position to: nconte@ucmerced.edu with the your first and last name in the subject of the email with “Hydrogen Powered Drone Intern Application”

  • ‪Applications will be screened for qualifications and experience, and all required application elements. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be offered an interview.

  • ‪Deadline to apply: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled

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