Hardware to Save a Planet

Access to economically viable solutions to measure soil carbon at scale is a game changer in our ability to improve our food systems and also improve our land's ability to store carbon. Welcome to this special episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Joining us today is Chris Tolles, Co-Founder and CEO of Yard Stick, a company on a mission to reduce soil carbon measurement costs by 90%. This will pave the way for improving our ecosystem health, restoring soil health, and combating climate change. Chris is the Co-Founder and CEO of Yard Stick, a company that provides easy, accurate, and affordable quantification of soil carbon stocks. The company aims to enable gigaton-scale agricultural carbon sequestration via scalable, trustworthy measurement solutions. The company is the measurement backbone of soil carbon.Episode ResourceChris Tolles on LinkedInYard Stick WebsiteYard Stick Project ImagesDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet Spotify Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf 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 EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf 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. Joining us today is Jack Morrison, Co-Founder and CEO of Scythe Robotics, a green company on a mission to provide the most advanced and sustainable autonomous technology for maintaining off-road environments. The company’s autonomous all-electrical robots bring sustainability to the lawn mowing and landscaping industry by eliminating the emissions from gas-powered equipment that is commercially used. Join us as we discuss Jack’s background, Scythe’s mission to improve sustainability in landscaping, and their recent series B funding. Jack explains the environmental benefits of transitioning from gas-powered to electric mowers and the importance of urban green spaces. He highlights Scythe’s innovative mower, the M.52, and its development based on customer feedback. Jack Morrison is the Co-founder and CEO of Scythe Robotics. A technical leader with a passion for connecting computers with the physical world, Jack has a track record of leading innovative, collaborative initiatives and organizations. Inspired to develop the future of long-term autonomous robotics, Jack believes that software engineering and novel research can go hand in hand to produce extraordinary advancements.Episode ResourceJack Morrison on LinkedInScythe Robotics WebsiteDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet SpotifyHardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf 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 EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf 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 special episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Joining us today is Laura Teicher, President and Executive Director at FORGE, a nonprofit on a mission to help innovators with physical products navigate the journey from prototype to commercialization and impact—at scale.Join us as we discuss the challenges and benefits of bringing physical climate tech products to the market. Laura recounts her career shift from politics to innovation support, detailing FORGE's role in assisting with manufacturing and supply chain challenges. She emphasizes local manufacturing benefits like reduced carbon footprints and better communication. Laura Teicher, president and executive director of FORGE, leads the 501(c)3 nonprofit on its mission to help innovators with physical products navigate the journey from prototype to commercialization and impact—at scale.Episode ResourceLaura Teicher on LinkedInFORGE WebsiteFORGE Project ImagesDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet Spotify Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf 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 EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf 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 special episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Joining us today is Dr. Ye Tao, Founder and Executive Director of MEER, a company that uses mirrors at scale to reflect sunlight and mitigate the impact of global warming. Join us as we discuss the innovative concept of MEER and its potential to combat climate change. Dr. Tao shares his insights on the urgent need for sustainable solutions and how MEER can help transition civilization toward a more sustainable future. We delve into the fascinating world of nanoparticle research and the possibilities of dimensional reduction. Discover the limitations of renewable energy and the importance of energy ROI. Dr. Tao also explores the exciting applications of mirrors in controlling sunlight and optimizing temperature reduction.Dr. Tao has a multidisciplinary background in physics, chemistry, engineering, and material science, which is uncommon among today's scientists. He received a doctorate from the Department of Chemistry at MIT in 2015 and completed the research requirements for a doctorate in Physics at ETH Zurich. Episode ResourceDr. Ye Tao BioMEER WebsiteDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse WebsiteHardware to Save a Planet Apple PodcastsHardware to Save a Planet SpotifyRate & Review Hardware to Save a Planet: Apple PodcastsSpotifyRSS Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf 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 EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf 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

Natasha Kostenuk, Founder of Ayrton Energy, discusses using Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers to revolutionize hydrogen storage. They cover the journey from oil industry to climate tech, advantages of LOHCs over traditional methods, and potential applications in data centers. Learn about Ayrton Energy's business model, scalability, and aspirations to make hydrogen a prevalent energy source by 2050.

Troy Helming, Founder of EarthGrid, discusses plasma tunnel boring machines for clean energy transmission. Topics include benefits of underground power lines, challenges in engineering, advancements in tunnel boring technologies, and overcoming obstacles in clean energy projects. Learn about innovative solutions in combating climate change.

Oliver Gunasekara, CEO of Impossible Metals, discusses the innovative approach to deep-sea mining for battery metals without harming marine ecosystems. They explore the economic factors, regulatory challenges, and advancements in robotics for sustainable resource extraction. The podcast also highlights the environmental benefits and career advice in climate tech solutions.

Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Our guest today is Tom Chi, Founding Partner of At One Ventures, a VC with the mission to invest in companies that work towards a world where humanity has a positive impact on nature. Tom's background includes being an astrophysicist and electrical engineer, developing products at Microsoft and Yahoo, and working as a founding member of Google X.Tom's background in technology and his personal experience witnessing the death of a coral reef in Hawaii have instilled in him a deep sense of urgency to address climate change. We discuss the slow pace of progress, the challenges of scaling companies, and the need for innovative solutions in venture capital. Tom not only highlights the importance of mass transfer in carbon sequestration and the limitations of closed-loop plastics recycling but also stresses the power of collaboration and utilizing diverse skills to accelerate progress. He is optimistic about the future, and his optimism is contagious.Tom has worked in a wide range of roles, from astrophysical researcher to designer to corporate executive, developing new hardware/software products and services. He's played a significant role in establishing projects with global reach (Microsoft Outlook, Yahoo Search, Google) and scaling new projects from conception to significance (Yahoo Answers from 0 to 90 million users). Tom wears multiple hats, including that of an inventor, coach, leader, and keynote speaker. He is also a Board Member at Cuby and a Partner at Hack VC. Tom is inspired by Ayana Young’s podcast series For the Wild. Episode resourceTom Chi on LinkedInAt One Ventures WebsiteFor the Wild PodcastDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse WebsiteRate & Review Hardware to Save a Planet: Apple PodcastsSpotifyRSS Hardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf 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 EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf 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

Join the live panel discussion with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESS as they highlight the role of energy storage in combating climate change. Topics include challenges in scaling the industry, impact of incentives and regulations, advancements in energy storage systems, boosting the industry with Investment Tax Credit, collaboration for different energy storage technologies, and the importance of tracking carbon emissions for climate change action.

Welcome to this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet. Today, we’re looking at the potential of electrifying ships, hauling cargo, and those involved in tourism to cut up to 3% of the emissions of greenhouse gases on water. If cars can go green, why not ships? Joining me today is Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon Marine, a company manufacturing electric propulsion products for the marine environment.Join us as we delve into the electrification of commercial boat fleets. Marcelino, the CEO of Photon Marine, shares his inspiration for developing cutting-edge electric propulsion systems for commercial boats. He also discusses the significant environmental benefits of reducing emissions and noise pollution. We'll explore the challenges and opportunities in this industry, including the growing interest and demand from fishing communities and tourism operators. Discover how Photon Marine's innovative products are making a tangible difference and their strategic plans for supplying motors and batteries to boat operators.Marcelino is a lifelong boater who grew up fishing and scuba diving in South Florida. As the CEO of Photon Marine, his vision is to preserve the planet’s waterways and oceans through the adoption of electric propulsion technology. Compared to boats powered by internal combustion engines, their product will reduce the total cost of ownership by almost half and require less maintenance without sacrificing performance while eliminating the use of fossil fuels.  He began his career in advertising, producing digital campaigns at Crispin Porter + Bogusky and Wieden + Kennedy. Afterwards, he founded Uncorked Studios, a product design firm that helped companies such as Samsung, Nike, Google, Intel, and Adidas bring innovative software and hardware products to market. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Duke University.Episode resourceMarcelino Alvarez on LinkedInPhoton Marine WebsitePhoton Marine Project ImagesDylan Garrett on LinkedInSynapse WebsiteRate & Review Hardware to Save a Planet: Apple PodcastsSpotifyRSSHardware to Save a Planet is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.soIf 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 EnergyThe Role of Energy Storage Systems in Combating Climate Change with Mike Wietecki of Powin and John Thomas of ESSMarine Electrification to Reduce Costs and Environmental Damage: A Conversation with Marcelino Alvarez, CEO of Photon MarineIf 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