Celebrating the 2024 Technology Commercialization Internship: A Triumph of Innovation and Learning

The Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) proudly commemorates the closing of the 2024 cohort of the Technology Commercialization Internship (TCI) program. This year’s internship culminated with a graduation event at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Thirteen interns from across the country presented the commercialization feasibility of groundbreaking DOE technologies, based on the industry outreach and learnings the students gained over the summer. 

The TCI program is a ten-week paid internship designed for undergraduate STEM and business students. This program offers a unique opportunity to engage with the Department of Energy's world-class National Laboratories, plants, and sites, boosting entrepreneurial thinking and exploring energy technology markets. Interns work alongside National Laboratory mentors and participate in intensive commercialization training through the Energy I-Corps curriculum. Interns are also paired with a DOE technology and through outreach and feedback from industry, students recommend a commercialization pathway for the technology. This dual exposure not only enhances the students’ academic knowledge but also significantly increases their future employability in the fields of entrepreneurship and energy technology. 

Congratulations to the following interns for successful completion of the 2024 Technology Commercialization Internship Program: 

• Miguel Aguilar, Shepherd University   
• Anthony Buckley, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill   
• Giovanni Correa-Quinones, University of Rochester 
• Zachary Ellis, West Virginia University 
• Sean Florez, University of Florida   
• Curtis Jordan, Norfolk State University 
• Dylan McFarland, Lehigh University   
• Gabrielle Osborne, University of South Carolina Aiken   
• Michael Sarmento, Sacramento City College   
• Brett Schultz, University of New Hampshire 
• Lauren Taylor, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo 
• Kelvin Wang, Johns Hopkins University 
• Julie Ware, Savannah State University   

Closing Event Celebration and Achievements 

The two-day closing event for the internship was marked by a series of activities that highlighted the achievements of the interns. The agenda was packed with intern presentations, lab tours, and networking opportunities that allowed the interns to display their work and engage with experts.  

• Day 1: The week kicked off with a warm welcome at the SNL Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies. The first day was dedicated to interns group presentations. Teams collaborated on projects that addressed significant challenges in the energy sector. For instance, Team 1 worked on a mixed-metal chalcogenide catalyst for hydrogen generation, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution for clean energy production. These group projects underscored the interns’ ability to work collaboratively and think strategically about commercializing new technologies.  
• Day 2:  The second day was filled with individual presentations where interns introduced their assigned DOE cutting-edge technologies to a panel of reviewers and an audience of DOE and laboratory staff. Each intern gave a 10-minute presentation on their work covering their technology, market and landscape analysis, and customer discovery research. From mass nanofiber production to battery efficiency solutions, the interns showcased their innovative solutions to real-world problems. The day concluded with a farewell and networking dinner that the interns and DOE technology transfer experts attended.  

Intern Miguel Aguilar, assigned to Savannah National Research Laboratory, spoke to the networking opportunities available throughout the internship. “It [the internship] has allowed me to build a robust network of individuals that can provide mentorship and guidance when searching for my career after graduation,” he said. 

The 2024 TCI has been a resounding success, reflecting OTT’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators and leaders in energy technology. The program not only equips students with essential skills but also inspires them to contribute to the energy transition and commercialization of new technologies. 

“The internship helped me gain extremely valuable experience relevant to my career aspirations,” said intern Michael Sarmento, who worked at Idaho National Laboratory for the summer. “I was supported to the full extent by everyone at my lab. It opened my eyes to the possibilities of technology deployment and sparked my interest in continuing in this field.” 

Student Testimonials 

The interns’ feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the program's profound impact on their professional and personal development. 

Anthony Buckley from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, who interned at Sandia National Laboratories, remarked, “This internship instilled in me business skills and experiences highly complementary to my STEM background. I now have the business acumen to translate new innovations into real-world impacts. It has also helped me decide to pursue an MBA with a possible joint master’s in energy.” 

Sean Florez from the University of Florida highlighted how the program shaped his career direction. “This internship has given me a different perspective on how and why research is being done. It solidified my interests in pursuing a career around working with new technologies, applying them where they are needed, and talking with inventors to have them see the best outcomes for their technology.”  

Julie Ware from Savannah State University emphasized the practical experience gained: “This internship has provided invaluable hands-on experience. I've applied engineering concepts to real-world projects, gained insights into market research and strategic planning, and learned how to transition technologies from the lab to the market, enhancing both my technical and business skills.” 

 Thanking Our Partners 

OTT extends gratitude to the incredible partners who made this program possible. Special thanks go to  Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), the partnering team at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories for hosting Closing Week, and the following eight DOE National Laboratories that hosted the 2024 interns. Their support has been instrumental in providing a comprehensive and enriching experience for the interns. 

• Idaho National Laboratory 
• Sandia National Laboratories 
• Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility  
• Savannah River National Laboratory 
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 
• Ames National Laboratory 
• Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory 
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

Learn More 

For more information about the Technology Commercialization Internship Program, please visit OTT's TCI webpage.