Hardware to Save a Planet

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett talks with Luke Iseman, founder of Make Sunsets, about tackling climate change through stratospheric aerosol injection. They explore the challenges of scaling hardware solutions, the urgency of immediate climate action, and the ethical debates around geoengineering. Luke shares his vision for using sulfur dioxide balloons to cool the planet, sparking a thought-provoking discussion on innovation and sustainability.

Luke Iseman founded Make Sunsets, a pioneering company dedicated to combating climate change through stratospheric aerosol injection. With a background as a hardware startup veteran and former director of hardware at Y Combinator, Luke has a wealth of experience in launching innovative hardware solutions across various sectors, including precision agriculture and affordable housing. His current venture aims to cool the Earth by releasing sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere, a process inspired by natural volcanic eruptions that have historically led to global cooling.

Luke's work is particularly relevant in the context of the need for urgent climate action and he seeks to respond rapidly to the escalating effects of climate change. Notably, he has successfully engaged over 700 customers, generating significant interest in his cooling credits, which offer a tangible way for individuals and organizations to contribute to climate solutions.

Episode Resources

• Luke Iseman on LinkedIn
• Make Sunsets Website
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify

Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett sits down with Curtis VanWalleghem, Co-Founder and CEO of Hydrostor, to discuss how compressed air energy storage can revolutionize renewable energy. Hydrostor's innovative underground caverns store air and water to provide long-duration, cost-effective energy storage—solving the intermittency challenge in renewable grids. The conversation dives into engineering breakthroughs, economic advantages over batteries, and the policy shifts needed to enable 100% renewable energy. 

Curtis VanWalleghem is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hydrostor, leading the company from technology development to commercial operations with a multi-gigawatt pipeline worldwide. Before Hydrostor, he was a Senior Manager at Deloitte’s Corporate Strategy Consulting Practice, advising top global energy companies. He also held roles at Bruce Power and Environmental Electric Company, working across the nuclear and wind energy sectors. With experience in over 10 countries, including volunteer work in India, Curtis combines technical expertise with strategic leadership.

Episode Resource

• Curtis VanWalleghem on LinkedIn
• Hydrostor Website
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify

Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett interviews Allan Adams, founder and CEO of Aquatic Labs, about revolutionizing ocean measurement technology. Allan shares his journey from theoretical physics professor to climate tech innovator, inspired by the urgent need to protect marine ecosystems. 

They discuss Aquatic Labs’ innovative alkalinity sensor, which offers scalable, real-time measurement of seawater chemistry to help address challenges in ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR). The episode highlights the potential for better ocean data to transform carbon markets, advance climate solutions, and foster sustainable innovation in oceanography by combining cutting-edge technology with entrepreneurial vision.

Episode Resource

• Allan Adams on LinkedIn
• Aquatic Labs Website
• Aquatic Labs Careers
• Allan’s Medium Post
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify

Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett sits down with Ross Bonner, CTO and co-founder of Transaera, to discuss innovative solutions for energy-efficient air conditioning. They explore the critical role of cooling in combating climate change, the equity challenges in access to climate technologies, and Transaera’s use of metal-organic frameworks to reduce energy consumption. Tune in to learn how these advancements make cooling more sustainable and accessible for everyone.


Ross Bonner is the CTO and co-founder of Transaera, a company revolutionizing air conditioning technology. With a focus on energy efficiency, his team’s approach reduces energy consumption by 40% compared to conventional systems, specifically targeting hot and humid climates. Ross has a background in systems architecture, fluids, and heat transfer. He is a graduate of GE Aerospace’s Edison Engineering Development Program and holds a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University, along with a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from MIT. His work at Transaera aims to make cooling technology more sustainable and accessible worldwide.


Episode Resource

• Ross Bonner on LinkedIn
• Transaera Website
• Transaera Project Image
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify

Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, recorded on the sidelines of the New York Climate Week, host Dylan Garrett moderates a compelling panel discussion on the role of deep tech in addressing the climate crisis. Joining him are Colin Campbell, SVP of Technology at Cambridge Consultants; Trudy Wang, VP of Innovation at Hala Technologies; Lisa Hansmann, Principal at Engine Ventures; Kate Kelly, Chief of Staff at Avalanche Energy; and Catherine Mizrahi Rodriguez, Co-founder of Osmoses. 

The panel delves into deep tech's complexities, its challenges, the importance of scaling innovations, and the critical need for collaboration across industries. They highlight how integrating new technologies within existing infrastructures and fostering partnerships can drive sustainable solutions. This insightful conversation emphasizes the intersection of technology, policy, and global efforts in the fight against climate change. Tune in for an in-depth exploration of how deep tech can shape a sustainable future.

The topics discussed include:

• The Case for Deep Tech in Climate Solutions
• Fusion Energy: A Revolutionary Approach
• Overcoming Infrastructure Challenges
• Equitable Energy Transition
• Navigating the Complexities of Scaling Deep Tech
• The Role of Partnerships in Innovation

Episode Resource

• Colin Campbell on LinkedIn
• Cambridge Consultants Website
• Trudy Wang on LinkedIn
• Hala Technologies Website
• Lisa Hansmann on LinkedIn
• Engine Ventures Website
• Catherine Mizrahi Rodriguez on LinkedIn
• Osmoses Website
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify

Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

We can turn the pages of our calendar, but the chapter on climate change is far from over. While 2024 was the hottest year on record, we also witnessed extreme weather events, ringing up a cost of more than $1 billion each. But in the face of all these challenges, it seems that inspiring action still speaks the loudest.

In this year-end special of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett is revisiting the most eye-opening conversations we’ve had on the series in 2024, setting the stage for a hopeful year ahead. From innovative ways to decarbonize the planet to rethinking fusion energy, this episode covers it all. Tune in to hear the bold and ambitious ideas leading the charge against the climate change crisis today, and how these ideas can be implemented in 2025 and beyond. 
Episode Resource

• Robin Langtry on LinkedIn
• Alisha Fredriksson on LinkedIn
• Rory Brogan on LinkedIn
• Daniel White on LinkedIn
• Natasha Kostenuk on LinkedIn
• Michael Rigney on LinkedIn
• Kemp Gregory on LinkedIn
• Chris Tolles on LinkedIn
• Adam Root on LinkedIn
• Oliver Gunasekara on LinkedIn
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify

Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

In this second part of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan continues his conversation with Casey Handmer, Founder of Terraform Industries. Casey and his team at Terraform are scaling technology to produce cheap natural gas with sunlight and air. Join us as we explore innovative solutions for sustainable energy. If you missed part one of the discussion, you can check it out here. 

They explore Terraform's innovative use of solar energy and direct air capture technology, the challenges in the solar market, and the importance of vertical integration. Casey also shares insights on regulatory hurdles, the potential of cheap solar energy, and the optimistic vision for a future powered by solar synthetic fuels. Discover how technology and collaboration can pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable planet!

Episode Resource

• Casey Handmer on LinkedIn
• Terraform Industries Website
• Terraform Project Images
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify

Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. In this first of a two-part episode, Dylan chats with Casey Handmer, Founder of Terraform Industries. Casey and his team at Terraform are scaling technology to produce cheap natural gas with sunlight and air. Join us as we explore innovative solutions for sustainable energy. Casey shares how TerraForm leverages solar energy, carbon capture, and green hydrogen production to create cost-effective natural gas to combat climate change.
 

Drawing on his diverse background at NASA, Hyperloop, and Caltech, Casey highlights the overlap between space exploration and Earth-bound energy challenges. The discussion delves into the economics of renewable energy, the practicality of hydrogen, and the potential of scalable, modular chemical plants to drive a sustainable energy revolution.

Casey Handmer is the founder of Terraform Industries, a pioneering company focused on transforming atmospheric CO₂ into synthetic natural gas using solar energy. With a mission to eliminate net carbon emissions from natural gas production, Terraform aims to scale sustainable energy solutions globally. 

Episode Resource

• Casey Handmer on LinkedIn
• Terraform Industries Website
• Terraform Industries Project Images
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Podcast Website
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify

Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

 "Our approach focuses on creating modular DAC systems that can be deployed where needed most. This decentralization allows for rapid scaling and adaptation to various climates, helping us contribute to the larger goal of CO2 removal much more quickly than traditional, large-scale systems." Rob van Straten, CEO of Skytree.

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan talks to Rob van Straten, CEO of Skytree,  about the company’s pioneering direct air capture (DAC) technology aimed at combating climate change. Rob explains how Skytree’s compact, modular DAC systems capture CO₂ directly from the atmosphere, providing a sustainable alternative to fossil-derived CO₂. Skytree, developed initially for the ISS, now helps sectors like vertical farming reduce emissions with locally sourced CO₂. Rob discusses DAC’s role in a circular carbon economy, energy efficiency improvements, and Skytree’s commitment to sustainable materials and customer-driven innovation for scalable climate solutions.

Episode Resource

• Rob van Straten on LinkedIn
• Skytree Website
• Skytree Project Images
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify

 Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn

In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, Dylan talks to Sam D’Amico, Founder and CEO of Impulse, Dylan chats with Sam about Impulse’s electric induction stove with built-in battery storage designed to reduce household reliance on the grid. They explore how this innovative stove combines high performance and precise temperature control, bringing convenience and efficiency to users. Sam shares insights on how Impulse sets the stage for a cleaner future with distributed energy storage, virtual power plants, and seamless integration of renewable energy. 

Sam D’Amico is the founder and CEO of Impulse, a climate tech company developing smart induction stoves that combine premium performance with sustainable energy solutions. Sam launched Impulse in 2021 after a decade of experience in high-profile hardware roles, beginning his career as a hardware engineer at Google X on the Google Glass team. He then held engineering positions at Oculus, Facebook, and Google, culminating in a product architect role at Facebook, where he worked on innovative consumer hardware. Sam’s journey reflects his commitment to pushing technology’s boundaries, now focused on building solutions that contribute to a cleaner energy future.

Episode Resource

• Sam D’Amico on LinkedIn
• Impulse Website
• Dylan Garrett on LinkedIn
• Synapse Website
• Hardware to Save a Planet Apple Podcasts
• Hardware to Save a Planet Spotify

Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

If you are interested in sponsoring Hardware to Save a Planet, please see our sponsorship offer here.

Previous guests include: Peter Reinhardt of Charm Industrial, Carlos Araque of Quaise, Noah McQueen of Heirloom, Areeb Malik of Glacier, Jeff Satwicz of Bigbelly, Abe Schneider of Natel Energy, Insiya Jafferjee of Shellworks, Paul Gross of Remora, Erika Boeing of Accelerate Wind and Daniel Betts of Blue Frontier.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Going Big on Clean Energy with Small Fusion Reactors with Robin Langtry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avalanche Energy
• The Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS
• Marine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine
  
  

If you have an interesting hardware solution to the climate crisis and would like the opportunity to share this with our audience, please complete this Guest Application form: https://fame.so/syn