◄ Episode Description
Stafford Sheehan is the Cofounder and CTO of Air Company, a groundbreaking company focused on creating jet fuel and ethanol from water, electrolysis, and carbon dioxide. With numerous patents and academic publications to his name, Sheehan has been recognized for his innovation and expertise, including being featured in the Forbes 30 under 30 list.
In this interview, Sheehan discusses the cutting-edge work being done at Air Company, from their carbon-neutral method of creating fuel to their collaboration with NASA for creating Jet fuel on Mars, Sheehan d...
◄ Episode Description
Stafford Sheehan is the Cofounder and CTO of Air Company, a groundbreaking company focused on creating jet fuel and ethanol from water, electrolysis, and carbon dioxide. With numerous patents and academic publications to his name, Sheehan has been recognized for his innovation and expertise, including being featured in the Forbes 30 under 30 list.
In this interview, Sheehan discusses the cutting-edge work being done at Air Company, from their carbon-neutral method of creating fuel to their collaboration with NASA for creating Jet fuel on Mars, Sheehan delves into the challenges and opportunities of sustainable energy solutions.
Sheehan emphasizes the importance of democratizing energy and making it accessible to all, as opposed to being controlled by a select few. He provides insights into scaling up innovative technology, the role of design in conveying sustainability, and the need for renewable or low carbon electricity for a carbon neutral (or negative) future in transportation technology.
A particularly fascinating aspect of the interview is the discussion around Air Company's involvement with NASA and their efforts towards sustainable energy on Mars. Sheehan shares how their technology can utilize Mars' abundant carbon dioxide and water resources to reduce the need for transporting materials from Earth.
◄ Episode Timestamps
(00:00) Introduction and company background
(02:43) Pricing in the social cost of carbon dioxide
(05:18) Challenges in deploying alternative fuel technologies
(07:40) Implementation of credits and tax incentives
(10:54) Stafford Sheehan's background and accomplishments
(14:07) Air Company's mission and technology
(19:03) Importance of synthetic fuels for aviation and space exploration
(22:08) Scaling up technology and minimizing financial risk
(25:52) Plans for a small commercial plant and larger plants
(28:00) Challenges in obtaining sufficient renewable electricity
(32:12) Air Company's involvement with NASA and Mars exploration
(35:40) Using Mars as an early adopter for technology commercialization
(36:25) The economics of renewable jet fuel production
(39:13) The significance of photosynthesis in technology inspiration
(42:25) Communicating sustainability to consumers
(45:09) NASA's efforts in carbon dioxide transformation and reusability
(47:57) Making alcohols and nutritional yeast mixture from CO2
(52:14) Climate change and the speaker's perspective on immediate extinction
(56:23) Energy independence and its importance for disadvantaged communities
(58:58) Air Company's vision for a sustainable future and energy security
◄ Episode Topic Score
Culture (6)
Design (7)
Education (5)
Environment (8)
Science (9)
Technology (10)
◄ Additional Episode Resources
Air Company: https://www.aircompany.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aircompany/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AirCoNYC/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theaircompany/
Staff’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staffw/
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