Los Alamos National Laboratory
Energy Storage Intern
Department: MPA-11
My experience
Overview
Learned to use air sensitive and electrochemical lab techniques to synthesize hydrazine for use as a potential medium of energy storage. Synthesized air-sensitive lanthanide organometallic complexes for the electrochemical catalysis of N2 to N2H4 using glovebox and Schlenk-line techniques. Used NMR and GC-MS to characterize complexes created and used CV and bulk electrolysis to test the stability and reversibility of the complexes.
Pros
An enjoyable and constantly encouraging internship. A great chance to learn from experienced chemists and many opportunities for professional development.
Cons
If you're coming in from an external program, onboarding and orientation isn't very clear, and the communication isn't the best for it either. Only other downside is that the experience can completely change based on your mentor. I enjoyed my time with my mentor, but other students in my group didn't have similar experiences.
Would recommend it to people who...
Are interested in working in a group that does a lot of chemistry and is ready to ask questions and make mistakes!
Impact of work
Time spent working
Interview advice
How did you find the job / apply?
Interview Rounds
Interview type
Advice on how to prepare
Since I applied through a separate program (EERE Energy Storage Internship through Zintellect), the only "interview" was talking to potential mentors and letting them know about your textbook and practical experience with different techniques that may be used.
More questions? Send the reviewer a message!