R2026105732 Summer Work Study: CO2 Capture and Sequestration (Open)

Position Summary

The Department is seeking students to support a research and engineering project focused on mineral carbon capture and sequestration. Students will conduct a comprehensive literature review, perform techno-economic analyses of mineral carbonation pathways, evaluate additional emerging processes, conduct laboratory experiments to validate expected process inputs and outputs, and develop a detailed project plan for a senior design project beginning in Fall 2026.

Department Name

School of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering

Anticipated Start Date

Summer 2026

Anticipated Weekly Hours

To be determined based on project needs and student availability.

Required Job Qualifications

Current undergraduate student in engineering, chemistry, materials science, or a related technical discipline.

Ability to conduct technical literature reviews and synthesize findings from peer-reviewed research.

Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary project team.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to maintain accurate technical documentation and project records.

Preferred Job Qualifications

Coursework or experience in chemical engineering, thermodynamics, reaction engineering, process design, materials science, or environmental engineering.

Experience conducting laboratory experiments and analyzing experimental data.

Familiarity with techno-economic analysis, process modeling, mass and energy balances, or economic evaluation of engineering systems.

Experience with project planning, scheduling, resource allocation, or senior design projects.

Interest in carbon capture, carbon sequestration, mineral carbonation, sustainable engineering, or industrial decarbonization.

Essential Duties

Conduct and consolidate a comprehensive literature review on mineral carbon capture and sequestration technologies.

Develop complete techno-economic analyses of the five mineral carbonation pathways identified in Zevenhoven (2022).

Identify, analyze, and compare at least five additional mineral carbonation processes, including magnesium-based and other emerging technologies.

Develop process flow diagrams, mass and energy balances, capital and operating cost estimates, and comparative economic assessments for selected pathways.

Establish technical and economic criteria for comparing mineral carbonation technologies and identifying the most promising pathways for further development.

Conduct laboratory experiments during the latter portion of the summer to replicate selected mineral carbonation reactions.

Collect and analyze experimental data and compare actual material, energy, and process inputs and outputs with values reported in the literature and predicted by process models.

Document experimental procedures, results, assumptions, limitations, and recommendations for future research.

Develop a comprehensive project plan for the Fall 2026 senior design project, including project scope, objectives, technical tasks, milestones, schedule, resource requirements, anticipated costs, risks, and deliverables.

Prepare technical reports, presentations, and project documentation summarizing research findings, techno-economic analyses, experimental results, and recommendations.