His Electrochemical Journey to Los Alamos
Currently a Research Technologist with the electrochemistry and corrosion team at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Ryan Grutze graduated from UBC Materials Engineering in 2018. His fondest memory of undergrad is the strong community of students, staff, and professors in the department. Ryan was very involved with the MTRL Undergraduate Club and the Engineering Undergraduate Society, where he made lasting friendships. He gained diverse co-op experiences in the R&D field across three major material categories – metals (steel), ceramics (geopolymer), and composites (aerospace).
1. Can you tell me about your current job? How did you end up with it?
I am a research technologist with the electrochemistry and corrosion team at Los Alamos National Laboratory. After working in the metro Vancouver area post-grad, I decided that I wanted a change in my life, so I went on a bikepacking trip in Europe for 3 months. This prompted me, upon return, to move back to the US, where I later applied for and accepted my position at Los Alamos.
“I never would have imagined I could work at Los Alamos National Laboratory without a PhD.” When I was younger, I envisioned working in the cycling industry making bikes, but I found that I enjoyed working in the chemistry side of materials engineering more.
2. What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day does not exist in the R&D engineering field! I would say work is about 75% hands on and 25% computer modeling. I juggle 3-6 projects such as electroplating samples, designing new equipment/processes, lab improvements/upgrades, and modeling electrochemical processes.
3. What opportunities do you see for materials engineering graduates in the field you are working in?
I believe there will always be research and development opportunities in the US and Canadian governments. I also believe that electrochemistry is quickly becoming a dominant field with the rise of cheaper renewable energy and advances in materials science to displace entrenched industrial processes.
Opportunities in metal production like Boston Metal (iron and steel), Magrathea (magnesium), Lilac Solutions (lithium), Cyclic Materials (rare earth metals), LiCycle (battery material recycling), and Redwood Materials (battery material recycling). Opportunities in battery production like eZinc (zinc batteries), Peak Energy (sodium batteries), Form Energy (iron-air batteries). Opportunities in carbon capture like Verdox (electrochemical CO2 capture). Opportunities in hydrogen production like Electric Hydrogen.
4. How did your materials engineering degree lead you to get the job you have?
“It provided the building blocks and resources (fundamental knowledge, physical notes, awareness to solve problems, and social connections) to gain work experience which ultimately led to my current position.”
5. How do you think your MTRL degree sets you apart from graduates of other programs?
I believe that materials science is the foundation for all other major disciplines (mechanical, chemical, civil, electrical), therefore, you can’t go into those fields without a solid understanding of materials science and engineering!
“I think the close-knit community of the MTRL department is a big advantage over other programs.”
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