#2: Casey Handmer - Pulling Methane From Thin Air (Terraform Industries)

First Principles with Christian Keil

#Tech #Entrepreneur #Business #Principles #Deep View #Deep Tech #Technology

17:27

Why do so many of us get nervous when public speaking? Communication expert Lawrence Bernstein says the key to dealing with the pressure is as simple as having a casual chat. He introduces the "coffee shop test" as a way to help you overcome nerves, connect with your audience and deliver a message that truly resonates. After the talk, Modupe explains a similar approach in academia called the "Grandma test," and how public speaking can be as simple as a conversation with grandma. Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey ! Become a TED Member today at ted.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

about a year ago 56:16

MP3•Episode home

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======

Episode 2: Casey Handmer, the polymath founder and CEO of Terraform Industries, explains the first principles behind his idea to synthesize hydrocarbons (starting with natural gas, or methane) from the atmosphere.

======

(00:00) - Intro
(00:56) - What Terraform Industries is Building
(02:00) - Casey's Background as an Engineer
(04:15) - Why Synthetic Hydrocarbons are an Urgent Need
(06:30) - The Importance of Hydrocarbons
(10:40) - Terraform's Process for Synthetic Methane
(13:57) - Cheap Solar Energy is the Key Enabler
(18:05) - How the World Captures and Uses Electricity
(21:00) - Why Use Solar Energy to Make Hydrocarbons
(24:51) - How Is This Possible?
(28:23) - Learning Curve Effects on Solar Cost Declines
(31:00) - Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act
(34:50) - Why Is Lower Solar Efficiency Okay?
(37:35) - How the Direct Air Capture Process Works
(46:54) - The Sabatier Reaction
(51:07) - Path to Commercialization and End-to-End Demo
(52:52) - Deploying Alongside Existing Natural Gas Infrastructure
(54:49) - Expansion into Synthetic Fuels and Beyond
(56:20) - Final Thoughts

======

Links:
Terraform - https://terraformindustries.com/
Casey Handmer - https://twitter.com/CJHandmer
Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle
“How to Industrialize Mars”: https://caseyhandmer.wordpress.com/2018/09/03/how-to-industrialize-mars/
Terraform Industries White Paper: https://caseyhandmer.wordpress.com/2023/01/09/terraform-industries-whitepaper-2-0/

First Principles:
Sabatier Reaction: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabatier_reaction
Energy Density: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_density
Photovoltaic Cells: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell
Direct Air Capture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_air_capture
Electrolysis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis

======

Production and marketing by The Deep View (https://thedeepview.co). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm

======

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20 episodes

#2: Casey Handmer - Pulling Methane From Thin Air (Terraform Industries)

First Principles with Christian Keil

19 subscribers

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

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======

Production and marketing by The Deep View (https://thedeepview.co). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm

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20 episodes

#Tech #Entrepreneur #Business #Principles #Deep View #Deep Tech #Technology

All episodes

1
Is It Possible to Build SAFE Nuclear Reactors? | Matt Loszak, Aalo Atomics 52:21

28 weeks ago52:21

52:21

Matt Loszak is building a nuclear reactor factory for a new kind of reactor: one that is almost impossible to melt down.

1
The World's Safest Humanoid Robots 48:43

40 weeks ago48:43

48:43

1X Technologies is building the world's safest autonomous, humanoid robots. And they want to start selling robots into consumer homes next year . How do you make a robot safe for humans? The answer is complicated — so I went to 1X HQ in Sunnyvale, CA to find out.

1
The World's Quietest Electric Engine | Ian Villa, Whisper Aero 55:17

40 weeks ago55:17

55:17

Engines are loud — Whisper Aero is changing that.

1
How To Build a 1-Terawatt, 600,000 Amp Pulsed Power Generator | JC Btaiche, Fuse Energy 1:00:50

43 weeks ago1:00:50

1:00:50

Season 2, Episode 1: JC Btaiche, Fuse Energy ====== Links: ElectroBOOM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PcBgym21TA Fuse's Paper in Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-67774-4 Fuse — https://www.f.energy People: JC Btaiche — https://x.com/JCBtaiche10 Christian Keil — https://x.com/pronounced_kyle…

1
#15: The First Principles Approach to Not Dying | Bryan Johnson 46:57

50 weeks ago46:57

46:57

Today’s episode is brought to you by Strata. Modernize your IAM with Identity Orchestration. Visit https://strata.io/firstprinciples to learn more! ====== Episode 15: Bryan Johnson spends $2m/year to not die. But this is more than just a health craze — it’s the birth of a new, secular religious movement. Here’s what Bryan believes. ====== (00:00) - Introduction (01:13) - Zeroth Principles Thinking: Going Beyond First Principles (04:05) - The Journey to "Don't Die": Bryan's Thought Experiments and Realizations (07:28) - Is "Don't Die" a Religion? Examining the Parallels (10:40) - Bryan's Roles in "Don't Die": Philosopher, Embodiment, Message Bearer (13:05) - Sponsor Break (14:08) - Quantifying Death: Introducing "Die Scores" for Behaviors and Choices (17:03) - What is Death and What is Aging? A First Principles Perspective (19:40) - Measuring Biological Age: Organ by Organ Analysis of Bryan's Body (23:48) - The Penis as a Marker of Overall Health and Vitality (26:33) - Epigenetic Clocks and the Pace of Aging Calculated Tests (30:18) - Bryan's Experience with Follistatin Gene Therapy (32:25) - Kernel: Building a Mass Market Brain Interface with Time-Domain FNIRS (36:48) - The Power Law Interventions: Identifying the Most Effective Longevity Levers (39:22) - Assembling a Team of Scientific Misfits to Tackle Aging (41:05) - Dreaming Up Ideas: Bryan's Nocturnal Creativity (42:15) - Telomeres and the Risks of Telomerase Gene Therapy (44:38) - Reflections on the Challenges of Commercializing Deep Tech (46:29) - Conclusion: Banding Together to Build an Amazing Future ====== Links: Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle Bryan Johnson - https://x.com/bryan_johnson Bryan Johnson Personal Website - https://www.bryanjohnson.com/ Blueprint - https://blueprint.bryanjohnson.com/ ====== Production and marketing by The Deep View ( https://thedeepview.co ). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm ====== Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9 🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads…

1
#14: Quantum Computing Isn’t Dead Yet | César Rodríguez, Commutator Studios 1:14:08

51 weeks ago1:14:08

1:14:08

Today’s episode is brought to you by Coda. If you want a platform that empowers your team to collaborate effectively and focus on shared goals, you can get started with Coda today for FREE. Head over to https://coda.io/fp ====== Episode 14: César Rodríguez has dedicated his career to quantum computing. Why? Because they have incredible potential — but that potential has not yet been unlocked. ====== (00:00) - Introduction: Meeting a Quantum Computing Visionary (02:45) - Quantum Computing 101: Harnessing the Weird World of Quantum Mechanics (06:00) - The No-Cloning Theorem: Why Quantum Information is So Fragile (08:50) - Schrödinger's Universe: Bridging the Quantum-Classical Divide (12:17) - Sponsor Break: Keeping Your Data Secure in a Quantum World (13:18) - Quantum Gates and Algorithms: Building Blocks of a Quantum Revolution (17:36) - The Race for Quantum Supremacy: Milestone or Mirage? (21:25) - Physical vs Logical Qubits: Quality, Quantity, and Qubit Scaling (23:12) - Fighting Decoherence: The Art of Quantum Error Correction (27:00) - Pulse-Level Tactics: Error Mitigation on the Frontlines (30:02) - Computator's Secret Weapon: Outwitting Emergent Algorithmic Errors (36:03) - Quantum Error Management: A Multi-Pronged, Collaborative Approach (38:11) - Beyond Bits: The Pros and Cons of Probabilistic Computing (41:08) - Why Quantum Matters: Cesar's Case for the Next Computing Revolution (43:40) - Riding the Hype Cycle: Navigating Quantum Winters and Summers (46:15) - The Quantum Computing Menagerie: Atoms, Ions, and Superconductors (49:33) - Scaling the Quantum Heights: Engineering Challenges and Triumphs (54:15) - Killer Apps: From Quantum Search and Factoring to Exotic Chemistry (59:02) - Quantum Now: A Global Snapshot of the Current Computing Landscape (1:03:40) - Quantum Leap: Visions of a World Transformed by Quantum Computers (1:09:40) - Quantum Development, Reimagined: New Paradigms, Tools, and Workflows (1:12:40) - Conclusion: Cesar's Call to Join the Quantum Revolution ====== Links: Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle César Rodríguez - https://twitter.com/cesarquantum Commutator Studios - https://www.commutatorstudios.com/ ====== Production and marketing by The Deep View ( https://thedeepview.co ). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm ====== Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9 🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads…

1
#13: Simon Pickup - Exploring Use Cases for Hydrogen Fuel | Teralta 56:00

1 year ago56:00

56:00

Today’s episode is brought to you by Strata. Elevate your enterprise identity with Strata today. Visit https://strata.io/firstprinciples to learn more! ====== Episode 13: The most abundant element in the universe also has the highest energy content of any common fuel by mass. Teralta helps industrial buyers get hydrogen when and where they need it. ====== (00:00) - Introduction (01:08) - What Teralta Does: Making Hydrogen Simple for Industrial Customers (03:10) - Why Simon Became Passionate About Hydrogen's Potential (04:42) - What is Hydrogen and How is it Produced Today? (06:50) - The Difference Between Clean and Dirty Hydrogen Production Methods (09:38) - Hydrogen's Volumetric Density Challenge and Storage Methods (11:57) - The Mental Model for When to Use Hydrogen vs Alternatives (14:36) - Transportation Use Cases: Hydrogen Unlikely to Beat Batteries for Cars (16:40) - Using Hydrogen for Synthetic Fuels to Enable Faster Decarbonization (20:02) - Financing Hydrogen Projects: The Importance of Offtake Agreements (23:37) - The Challenge of Lining Up All the Pieces for Hydrogen Project FID (25:30) - Only 4% of Announced Hydrogen Projects Reach Final Investment Decision (27:50) - Other Major Hydrogen Applications: Chemicals, Heating, Transportation (29:27) - Common Misconceptions About Hydrogen: Hindenburg, Water, Free Energy (32:50) - Example Project: Delivering Pure Hydrogen to a Pulp Mill via Pipeline (35:08) - Technologies to Accelerate Hydrogen Adoption: Storage and Grid Capacity (37:04) - Why Now is a Unique Moment for Hydrogen to Finally Take Off (39:58) - The Hydrogen Rainbow: Moving Beyond Color Labels to Carbon Intensity (42:11) - How Policy Support like the Inflation Reduction Act Changes the Game (44:38) - Hydrogen Use in Ammonia Production and Its Importance for Agriculture (46:24) - The Hydrogen Ladder: Ranking Applications by Substitution Potential (48:35) - Teralta's Focus on Vertically Integrating to Speed Up Project Delivery (51:08) - The Existence of an Actual Hydrogen Council of Industry Players (53:12) - Conclusion: Supply and Demand Factors Finally Aligning for Hydroge ====== Links: Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle Simon Pickup - https://x.com/pickupsimon Teralta - https://teralta.com/ ====== Production and marketing by The Deep View ( https://thedeepview.co ). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm ====== Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9 🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads…

1
#12: Deep Prasad - How to Build a Physics-Fluent AI System 1:06:44

1 year ago1:06:44

1:06:44

Brought to you by NordVPN. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/firstprinciples . Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! ====== Episode 12: Discovering new materials is how we unlock new branches of the tech tree. But there is no way for the world’s most powerful AI tools to help us do that discovery – until now. ====== (00:00) - Intro (01:08) - GenMat's Goal: Building an AI System Smarter Than Humans at Physics (02:17) - Why It's Hard for AI to Understand Physics Like Humans Do (05:39) - How GenMat Models Atomic Level Activity to Optimize Materials (09:35) - The Trial and Error Process of Traditional Materials Discovery (11:28) - Materials Science 101: What Makes a Material and Its Key Properties (15:00) - Perovskites: A Promising and Complex Material Family (17:37) - How GenMat Helps Labs Discover and Optimize New Materials (19:43) - The Challenges of Data, Representations and Feedback in Physics AI (23:18) - Why GenMat Chose a Broad vs Narrow Focus Across Materials Domains (25:32) - Expanding Into Geophysics to Find Critical Materials Using Satellites (28:48) - The Experience of Launching GenMat's First Satellite with SpaceX (30:58) - Overlap Between GenMat's Materials and Geophysics AI Models (32:42) - GenMat's Progress: Team Size, Funding, Patents, Customers, Results (35:46) - The Future 'Yug-Cyberia' Civilization Enabled by Advanced Physics AI (38:54) - How Materials Breakthroughs Can Accelerate Mars and Space Exploration (42:10) - The Difficulty of Communicating Complex Technical Work to Others (44:48) - Breaking Down GenMat's AI Techniques: CDVAEs Explained (48:55) - Why GenMat Uses Classical Deep Learning vs Quantum Computing Today (51:37) - The Origins of GenMat: From Quantum Deep Learning to Classical AI (54:02) - How GenMat Gets People Excited About the Potential of Materials (56:11) - Rapid Fire Questions: Focus vs Breadth, Challenges, Surprises (59:40) - Mapping Out a Future with Intelligent Matter and Interstellar Travel (01:03:50) - The Meaning and Origins of the Term 'Yug-Cyberia' (01:05:15) - Conclusion: Advanced Physics AI Can Get Us to Mars and Beyond ====== Links: Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle Deep Prasad - https://x.com/Deepneuron GenMat - https://www.genmat.xyz/ ====== Production and marketing by The Deep View ( https://thedeepview.co ). For inquiries about sponsoring this podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm ====== Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9 🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads…

1
#11: Aleh Kandrashou & Aleksandr Gampel - Building the Factory that Builds the Homes 1:11:36

1 year ago1:11:36

1:11:36

Today’s episode is brought to you by Strata. Elevate your enterprise identity with Strata today. Go to https://strata.io/firstprinciples to learn more! ====== Episode 11: Cuby is creating the Factory that builds the Homes. These factories can generate 1 home per day, but instead of building the homes themselves, Cuby works with local operators who produce and sell the pre-fabricated homes. ====== (00:00) - Intro (00:28) - Cuby is Building the Factory That Builds Homes (02:11) - Cuby Builds Better Tools for Home Builders (04:39) - How Cuby's Mobile Micro Factories Enable Home Building with Less Skilled Labor (07:06) - The Performance and Cost Advantages of Cuby's Approach (09:54) - Who Normally Builds Homes - Developers, General Contractors, Subcontractors (13:02) - How Cuby Replaces Skilled Labor with Unskilled Labor (16:19) - Cuby's 3-Tiered Master Plan - From White Label Factories to an Iconic Brand (19:56) - The Challenges of Explaining Cuby's Full Stack Approach (21:14) - People - Who Works at Cuby's Job Sites vs. Traditional Construction (25:48) - Process - Enabling Home Customization Within a Standardized System (29:07) - How Software Guides Workers Through Simple, Repeatable Operations (32:15) - Dynamically Generating Instructions and Tasks Based on the Home Design (35:44) - Push vs. Pull and Just-in-Time Manufacturing Across Many Simultaneous Homes (38:39) - The Advantages of Localized Manufacturing and Familiar Materials (40:52) - Designing the Ideal Factory Process and Iterating Based on Real World Learnings (44:28) - Using Data and Metrics to Constantly Improve Efficiency (46:11) - Technology - Building Proprietary Machines and Tooling for Key Processes (49:36) - Making vs. Buying Components Based on Customization, Cost and Warranty Factors (52:17) - Why Cuby Believes 3D Printing is Not Yet the Solution for Home Building (54:59) - Cuby's Technical Readiness Level and Roadmap (57:06) - Expanding from Single Family Homes to Other Building Types (59:13) - Strong Traction and Demand from the Housing Ecosystem (01:02:19) - Scaling Production with a Mass Manufacturing "Papa Factory" (01:04:10) - The Independent Nature of Each Factory Enables Efficient Scaling (01:05:53) - Fundraising to Fuel Expansion and Transition to Debt Financing (01:08:34) - The Climate Tech Angle and Economics as Sustainability Driver (01:09:50) - Key Milestones for the Next Fundraise (01:10:37) - Conclusion - Revolutionizing Home Building from the Ground Up ====== Links: Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle Aleh Kandrashou - https://x.com/AKandrashou Aleksandr Gampel - https://x.com/agampel1 Cuby - https://www.cubytechnologies.com/ ====== Production and marketing by The Deep View ( https://thedeepview.co ). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm ====== Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9 🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads…

1
#10: Sam D'Amico - How to Boil Water in 40 Seconds (and Revolutionize the Grid) 1:06:50

1 year ago1:06:50

1:06:50

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/firstprinciples Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! ====== Episode 10: Impulse Labs has a master plan to revolutionize the grid by building the world’s highest-performance home appliances. They started with a stove. Here’s how it works. ====== (00:00) - Introduction (00:40) - What Impulse is Building - High Performance Home Appliances (01:40) - The Performance Difference Between Impulse's Stoves and Gas/Normal Induction (03:24) - How Impulse Enables High Power Without Electrical Upgrades Using Batteries (06:17) - Volts, Amps, Watts and How They Relate to Home Electrical Systems (12:23) - Why Impulse Chose the Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Chemistry (16:40) - The Safety Testing and Certification Process for New Appliances (18:28) - The Potential of Sodium Ion Batteries (20:02) - How Batteries in Appliances Can Help Balance Renewable Energy on the Grid (27:18) - The Physics of How Induction Stoves Heat Pans Without Getting Hot Themselves (32:33) - How Gallium Nitride Enables Smaller, More Efficient Electronics (34:18) - Precise Temperature Control Via Induction Current Regulation and Sensors (37:28) - The Potential for Automated Cooking Routines and Regulatory Limitations (39:07) - The Process of Finding and Working With a Consumer Electronics Manufacturer (44:10) - Sending Prototypes Back and Forth and Leveraging the Manufacturer's Expertise (47:22) - The Huge Potential for Battery-Powered Appliances to Transform the Grid (50:12) - Taking a Measured, Market-Driven Approach to Electrification vs Gas Stoves (52:30) - Performance Over Politics in Driving Electrification (54:15) - Tech Architecture Enabling Rapid New Product Development (56:40) - Massive Market Opportunity for Home Batteries (58:50) - Regulatory Standards for Bidirectional Power (01:00:30) - Cultural Shift to Accelerate Electric Appliance Adoption (01:02:45) - Building an Iconic High Performance Brand (01:04:50) - Conclusion and Where to Learn More ====== Links: Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle Sam D’Amico - https://twitter.com/sdamico Impulse - https://www.impulselabs.com/ ====== Production and marketing by The Deep View ( https://thedeepview.co ). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm ====== Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9 🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads…

1
#9: Justin Lopas - Introducing the Next-Gen Home Battery 57:23

1 year ago57:23

57:23

Today’s sponsor: If you want a platform that empowers your team to collaborate effectively and focus on shared goals, you can get started with Coda today for FREE. Head over to https://Coda.io/fp ====== Episode 9: Justin worked at SpaceX and Anduril before starting Base Power, which is aiming to build a modern power company — and an energy trading business on top of it. ====== (00:00) - Intro (00:41) - What Base Power is Building (03:26) - How Texas' Energy Grid and Market Works (08:42) - Sponsor Break (09:28) - Why Batteries are Needed to Support the Grid (14:09) - Base Power's Unique Battery Deployment Model (19:35) - Optimizing the Battery System Design (24:14) - Streamlining the Deployment Process (29:03) - Build vs Buy Decisions Across the Value Chain (32:18) - Software Strategy Across Device, Cloud, and Customer (36:00) - Balancing Customer Needs with Grid Services (39:06) - Potential for DC Power Distribution in Homes (40:31) - The Vision for Long-Duration Storage (43:51) - Scaling Base Power and Driving Costs Down (48:18) - Defining the Interfaces and Controlling the Value Chain (52:04) - Advice for Startup Founders and Closing Thoughts (56:11) - Conclusion ====== Links: Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle Justin Lopas – https://twitter.com/JLopas Base Power - https://www.basepowercompany.com/ ====== Production and marketing by The Deep View ( https://thedeepview.co ). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm ====== Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9 🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads…

1
#8: Ben Nowack - Selling Sunlight to Solar Farms After Dark 1:26:57

1 year ago1:26:57

1:26:57

Episode 8: Ben Nowack built a fusion reactor in high school. Now he’s building huge mirrors in space that reflect sunlight onto solar farms at night. ====== (00:00) - Intro (00:39) - What Reflect Orbital is Building (02:30) - How the Satellite Mirrors Work (06:16) - Deploying the Mirrors in Space (10:14) - Mirror Size Considerations (13:51) - Dealing with Space Debris and Micrometeorites (17:07) - Early Demonstrations with High Altitude Balloons (23:11) - Advantages over Other Space Solar Concepts (28:56) - Target Customers and Business Model (35:57) - Constellation Size and Orbit Design (40:42) - Using Solar Sailing for Propulsion (49:38) - Benefits of Solar Sailing for Space Exploration (54:06) - Tiny Force of Solar Sailing and Payload Limitations (55:58) - Maintaining Altitude vs Pointing at Solar Farms (59:14) - Attitude Control with Control Moment Gyros (01:02:44) - Desaturating Control Moment Gyros (01:05:21) - Monte Carlo Simulations for Constellation Design (01:11:00) - Monte Carlo Simulation 101 (01:13:38) - Exciting Developments in Solar and Energy (01:22:17) - Sunlight as a Service Business Model (01:24:04) - Wrap Up and How to Learn More ====== Links: Christian Keil: https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle Ben Nowack: https://twitter.com/bennbuilds Reflect Orbital: https://www.reflectorbital.com/ First Principles: Reflectance: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflectance Solar power: https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/135642main_balance_trifold21.pdf Radiation pressure for solar sailing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_pressure#:~:text=The%20assertion%20that%20light%2C%20as,and%20Gordon%20Ferrie%20Hull%20in CMG “control moment gyroscope“: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_moment_gyroscope Monte Carlo simulation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Carlo_method ====== Production and marketing by The Deep View ( https://thedeepview.co ). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm ====== Checkout the video version here —> http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9 🛎️ Follow to stay updated with new uploads…

1
#7: Nato Saichek - Shooting Satellites Into Orbit at Hypersonic Speeds 1:16:16

1 year ago1:16:16

1:16:16

Nato decided against building a laser-powered rocket in favor of Longshot Space: a gun powered by pressurized air that can shoot payloads into orbit. ====== (00:00) - Intro (00:42) - Nato's Early Idea for a Laser Rocket at Astranis (02:30) - Nato Initially Being Skeptical of Longshot's Gun Idea (04:02) - Writing a Simulation that Showed a 4km Gun Could Reach Orbit (05:43) - Deciding to Join Longshot Full-Time after an SBIR Grant (07:22) - What Longshot is Building - A Massive Gun to Launch Payloads to Orbit (09:40) - Comparing Longshot to Hyperloop and SpinLaunch (10:52) - The Projectile's Trajectory after Exiting the Gun (13:35) - Reasons for Choosing a Gas Gun over Railgun or Traditional Gun (16:11) - The Critical First Moments after the Projectile Exits the Gun (18:02) - Longshot's Plan to Start with Hypersonic Testing (20:24) - Target Launch Costs of $10-$500 per kg, Orders of Magnitude Cheaper (23:28) - Using Space Tugs to Enable Different Orbits from an Equatorial Gun (26:08) - Drastically Lower Costs Enabling Things like Tractors on the Moon (28:30) - The Path from Garage Prototype to Orbital Launch System (31:44) - Traditional Rockets vs Gun Launch Physics and Engineering (35:35) - Iterating on Burst Disk Design to Get Microsecond Timing (44:04) - Going from Failed Mach 2 Shots to Mach 4 by Improving Projectiles (46:54) - Doing Hypersonic Testing in a Converted Auto Shop (49:14) - Iterating on Ways to Safely Catch Hypersonic Projectiles (51:53) - Using High Speed Cameras to Analyze Projectile Behavior (54:04) - Light Gates to Trigger Precise Timing of Barrel Accelerators (56:40) - Parts of the System with High vs Low Confidence (59:54) - Nato's Philosophy as a Generalist Engineer (01:03:15) - The Elegance of Passive Analog Guidance like the Sunbeam Toaster (01:07:17) - Being Okay with Initially Being Bad at Things to Become a Generalist (01:09:30) - Preference for Working on Civilization-Changing Mega Projects (01:10:26) - Conclusion ====== Links: Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle Nato Saichek – https://twitter.com/natosaichek Longshot Space – https://www.longshotspace.com/ ====== Production and marketing by The Deep View ( https://thedeepview.co ). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm ====== Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9 🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads…

1
#6: Danielle Fong - An Engine Powered By Light 1:21:53

1 year ago1:21:53

1:21:53

Sponsor: Remove your personal information from the web at JoinDeleteMe.com/FP20 and use code FP20 for 20% off DeleteMe international Plans: https://international.joindeleteme.com ====== Episode 6: When heated, sodium emits energy via visible light at 2.1eV (or 589 nm wavelength). So, if you make an engine that heats up sodium, you can tune a solar cell to exactly that frequency and capture light efficiently — giving you the portability of a battery with the energy density of hydrocarbons. ====== (00:00) - Intro (00:32) - Danielle’s Background (04:40) - Early Interest in Energy and Fusion Research (08:14) - Leaving Academia to Become an Entrepreneur (11:40) - Starting LightSail and Innovating in Compressed Air Energy Storage (15:35) - Reflecting on LightSail and Compressed Air Energy Storage (19:48) - Limitations of Batteries, Engines, and Fuel Cells (22:30) - The Vision for Portable, Energy-Dense Power Generation (27:16) - Rethinking Combustion and Light Generation for Compact Power (31:56) - How the New Power Generation Process Works (37:58) - Managing High Temperatures and System Components (42:26) - Recirculating Heat for Higher Efficiency (48:38) - Theoretical Limits and Practical Challenges (52:50) - Engineering Solutions to Minimize Losses (58:32) - The Experimental Approach to Rapid Learning (01:02:54) - Balancing Exploratory Work with Systematic Testing (01:07:40) - Developing the Craftsmanship of Research (01:11:15) - Managing Company Priorities while Preserving Creativity (01:15:18) - Advice for Learning and Advancing Technology (01:18:36) - Building Real Projects and Sharing Knowledge (01:22:10) - Conclusion ====== Links: Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle Danielle Fong – https://twitter.com/DanielleFong Lightcell Energy – https://www.lightcellenergy.com/ ====== Production and marketing by The Deep View ( https://thedeepview.co ). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm ====== Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9 🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads…

1
#5: Garrett McCurrach - Underground Hyperlogistics Delivery Drones 1:16:31

1 year ago1:16:31

1:16:31

Episode 5: Garrett wants to deliver any good in under ten minutes, for under a quarter, using drones that burrow underground. ====== (00:00) - Intro (00:50) - What Pipedream is Building (02:17) - Garrett's Background and Learning to Build Businesses (04:02) - How Pipedream Moves Things Efficiently in Cities (07:07) - Why Pneumatic Tubes are Not the Solution (10:08) - How Pipedream's System Works with Robots, Rails, and Totes (13:20) - Designing the Track to Handle Curves and Turns (17:27) - Pipedream's Initial Focus on Instant Pickup and Curbside Delivery (20:12) - The Vision for Edge Warehouses and Hyperlogistics (23:05) - The Key Challenges in Scaling Autonomous Logistics (28:37) - Why Last Mile Delivery Speed is More About Deployment Than Robot Speed (31:10) - The Hardest Problems Pipedream is Solving (37:14) - How Pipedream Decided on Underground Delivery Infrastructure (41:37) - Leveraging Existing Utility Installation and Regulation Practices (44:49) - Believing in the Vision Despite Skepticism (47:53) - The Huge Potential of Last Mile Logistics Innovation (50:51) - Garrett's Journey to Find a Meaningful 10-Year Opportunity (54:49) - Realizing Underground Infrastructure was More Feasible Than Expected (57:22) - Taking the Unconventional Path Despite Discouragement (01:00:00) - The Engineering Appeal and Potential Impact of Last Mile Logistics (01:04:02) - Borrowing from Proven Utility Distribution Models like Water and Sewage (01:07:07) - The Perfect Timing and Conditions for Logistics Disruption (01:11:35) - Cities' Incentives to Support Underground Utility Infrastructure (01:14:27) - Conclusion ====== Links: Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle Garret McCurrach – https://twitter.com/thegarrettscott Pipedream - https://www.pipedreamlabs.co/ ====== Production and marketing by The Deep View ( https://thedeepview.co ). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm ====== Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9 🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads…

First Principles with Christian Keil

1
#4: Augustus Doricko - Weather-Modification Drones Are Coming Soon 1:05:09

1 year ago1:05:09

1:05:09

Sponsor: Remove your personal information from the web at JoinDeleteMe.com/FP20 and use code FP20 for 20% off DeleteMe international Plans: https://international.joindeleteme.com ====== Episode 4: Augustus Doricko isn’t trying to play God with his weather-modification company, Rainmaker, but he does admit that quelling hurricanes or creating atmospheric rivers would be pretty based. By using cheap drones to disperse ice nucleation agents, Augustus will literally make it rain — and save the American West in the process. ====== (00:00) - Intro (00:41) - What Rainmaker Technology is Building (01:27) - Augustus' Background (03:58) - Why Cloud Seeding and Water Scarcity are Important Problems (07:07) - The Dialectic on How to Solve Water Scarcity (10:08) - How Weather Modification and Cloud Seeding Work (13:20) - How Rainmaker Identifies Suitable Clouds for Seeding (17:27) - How Rainmaker Delivers Seeding Agents to Clouds (20:12) - Rainmaker's Nucleation Agent Dispersion Mechanism (23:05) - Rainmaker's Search for Alternative Nucleation Agents (26:37) - Attribution of Precipitation to Cloud Seeding (31:10) - Rainmaker's Initial Target Market and Value Proposition (37:14) - Extending Rainfall Benefits with Cloud Seeding (41:37) - Rainmaker's Pricing Model (44:49) - Government Interest and Spending on Weather Modification (47:53) - China's Leadership in Weather Modification (50:51) - The Need for Pro-Human, Pro-Environment Climate Engineering (52:52) - Technical and Business Challenges for Rainmaker (54:49) - Advice for Aspiring Engineers in Weather Modification (57:22) - Positive Sum Aspects of Cloud Seeding (01:01:27) - Government Contracting Potential for Rainmaker (01:04:02) - Identifying Easy vs. Challenging Components of Rainmaker's System (01:07:07) - Conclusion and Advice for Aspiring Weather Modification Engineers ====== Links: Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle Augustus Doricko – https://twitter.com/ADoricko Rainmaker – https://www.makerain.com/ First Principles: Ice Nucleation – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_nucleus Drainage basins – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drainage_basin Nucleation via Drone – https://asr.science.energy.gov/news/program-news/post/14630 Weather Modification – https://libguides.library.noaa.gov/weather-climate/weather-modification-project-reports ====== Production and marketing by The Deep View ( https://thedeepview.co ). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm ====== Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9 🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads…

First Principles with Christian Keil

1
#3: Extropic - Why Thermodynamic Computing is the Future of AI (PUBLIC DEBUT) 1:12:59

1 year ago1:12:59

1:12:59

Episode 3: Extropic is building a new kind of computer – not classical bits, nor quantum qubits, but a secret, more complex third thing. They call it a Thermodynamic Computer, and it might be many orders of magnitude more powerful than even the most powerful supercomputers today. Check out their “litepaper” to learn more: https://www.extropic.ai/future . ====== (00:00) - Intro (00:41) - Guillaume's Background (02:40) - Trevor's Background (04:02) - What is Extropic Building? High-Level Explanation (07:07) - Frustrations with Quantum Computing and Noise (10:08) - Scaling Digital Computers and Thermal Noise Challenges (13:20) - How Digital Computers Run Sampling Algorithms Inefficiently (17:27) - Limitations of Gaussian Distributions in ML (20:12) - Why GPUs are Good at Deep Learning but Not Sampling (23:05) - Extropic's Approach: Harnessing Noise with Thermodynamic Computers (28:37) - Bounding the Noise: Not Too Noisy, Not Too Pristine (31:10) - How Thermodynamic Computers Work: Inputs, Parameters, Outputs (37:14) - No Quantum Coherence in Thermodynamic Computers (41:37) - Gaining Confidence in the Idea Over Time (44:49) - Using Superconductors and Scaling to Silicon (47:53) - Thermodynamic Computing vs Neuromorphic Computing (50:51) - Disrupting Computing and AI from First Principles (52:52) - Early Applications in Low Data, Probabilistic Domains (54:49) - Vast Potential for New Devices and Algorithms in AI's Early Days (57:22) - Building the Next S-Curve to Extend Moore's Law for AI (59:34) - The Meaning and Purpose Behind Extropic's Mission (01:04:54) - Call for Talented Builders to Join Extropic (01:09:34) - Putting Ideas Out There and Creating Value for the Universe (01:11:35) - Conclusion and Wrap-Up ====== Links: Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle Guillaume Verd - https://twitter.com/GillVerd Beff Jezos - https://twitter.com/BasedBeffJezos Trevor McCourt - https://twitter.com/trevormccrt1 First Principles: Gaussian Distribution: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_distribution Energy-Based Models: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy-based_model Shannon’s Theorem: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noisy-channel_coding_theorem ====== Production and marketing by The Deep View ( https://thedeepview.co ). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm ====== Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9 🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads…

First Principles with Christian Keil

1
#2: Casey Handmer - Pulling Methane From Thin Air (Terraform Industries) 56:16

1 year ago56:16

56:16

Sponsor: Remove your personal information from the web at JoinDeleteMe.com/FP20 and use code FP20 for 20% off DeleteMe international Plans: https://international.joindeleteme.com ====== Episode 2: Casey Handmer, the polymath founder and CEO of Terraform Industries, explains the first principles behind his idea to synthesize hydrocarbons (starting with natural gas, or methane) from the atmosphere. ====== (00:00) - Intro (00:56) - What Terraform Industries is Building (02:00) - Casey's Background as an Engineer (04:15) - Why Synthetic Hydrocarbons are an Urgent Need (06:30) - The Importance of Hydrocarbons (10:40) - Terraform's Process for Synthetic Methane (13:57) - Cheap Solar Energy is the Key Enabler (18:05) - How the World Captures and Uses Electricity (21:00) - Why Use Solar Energy to Make Hydrocarbons (24:51) - How Is This Possible? (28:23) - Learning Curve Effects on Solar Cost Declines (31:00) - Impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (34:50) - Why Is Lower Solar Efficiency Okay? (37:35) - How the Direct Air Capture Process Works (46:54) - The Sabatier Reaction (51:07) - Path to Commercialization and End-to-End Demo (52:52) - Deploying Alongside Existing Natural Gas Infrastructure (54:49) - Expansion into Synthetic Fuels and Beyond (56:20) - Final Thoughts ====== Links: Terraform - https://terraformindustries.com/ Casey Handmer - https://twitter.com/CJHandmer Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle “How to Industrialize Mars”: https://caseyhandmer.wordpress.com/2018/09/03/how-to-industrialize-mars/ Terraform Industries White Paper: https://caseyhandmer.wordpress.com/2023/01/09/terraform-industries-whitepaper-2-0/ First Principles: Sabatier Reaction: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabatier_reaction Energy Density: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_density Photovoltaic Cells: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell Direct Air Capture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_air_capture Electrolysis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis ====== Production and marketing by The Deep View ( https://thedeepview.co ). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm ====== Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9 🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads…

First Principles with Christian Keil

1
#1: Ian Brooke – Electric Adaptive Jet Engines (Astro Mechanica) 1:34:10

1 year ago1:34:10

1:34:10

Sponsor: Secure by Design - http://tinyurl.com/5ds2pyjv ====== [Series Premiere] Founder Ian Brooke gives his first public interview to talk about Astro Mechanica, a new startup building electric-adaptive jet engines. And, possibly, the world’s fastest plane. And the cheapest way to orbit. (It’s an ambitious startup idea.) ====== (00:00) - Intro (01:27) - What Astro Mechanica is Building (05:50) - Jets vs. Rockets (12:07) - How to Generate Thrust (15:07) - Engineering Challenges for Traditional Turbofans (17:07) - The New Paradigm: Electric Adaptive Jets (24:23) - Specific Impulse and Efficiency (32:07) - Ramjet vs. Scramjet (38:12) - Staging Considerations (42:25) - Fastest Plane Ever Flown: SR-71 Blackbird and its Challenges (44:07) - Transitioning from Ramjet to Rocket (47:27) - Building the Next Boeing (53:07) - Everyone Gets a Private Jet (56:07) - Why Start with Space Launch? (1:06:07) - Where You Go From There (1:10:07) - Why Everyone Loves Toyotas (1:16:12) - The Supersonic Jet Engine Next Door (1:19:57) - Starting the Company (1:23:07) - What’s Next? (1:27:37) - How Do You Do What You’re Doing? (1:31:07) - hiring@astromecha.co ====== Links: Astro Mechanica – https://astromecha.co , hiring@astromecha.co Ian Brooke – https://twitter.com/k2pilot Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle First Principles: Specific Impulse (ISP) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_impulse Rocket Equation – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsiolkovsky_rocket_equation Navier Stokes Equations – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navier%E2%80%93Stokes_equations Power-to-Weight Ratio – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power-to-weight_ratio ====== Production and marketing by The Deep View ( https://thedeepview.co ). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm ====== Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9 🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads…

First Principles with Christian Keil

1
#0: Welcome to First Principles 1:17

1 year ago1:17