Nathaniel Weger
Email: nate-weger@[Link] Phone: (319) 560-7672 [Link]/in/nateweger
Education
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA Graduating: May 2023
Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering GPA: 3.86/4.00
• Awards: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Tau Beta Pi Fellowship, H2H8 Graduate Research Grant
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA Graduated: May 2018
B.S.E., Mechanical Engineering GPA: 3.97/4.00
Research and Academic Experience
Graduate Student Researcher, Thermal Energy Group August 2018 - Present
• Designed and built novel methane pyrolysis reactor for clean hydrogen production
• Designed and tested new materials for a high-temperature thermal energy storage system
Research Assistant, Combustion and High-Speed Fluid Mechanics Lab October 2015 - May 2018
• Investigated the use of trash to produce energy through the biomass gasification process
Teaching Assistant, University of Iowa August 2016 - May 2018
• Instructed students in C++ and Matlab programming techniques
Teaching Assistant, University of Iowa January 2018 - May 2018
• Instructed students in advanced thermodynamics concepts
Independent Research, Universidade Federal de Itajubá May 2017 - August 2017
• Conducted tests in downdraft gasifier to explore the gasification of refuse-derived fuels
Research Assistant, Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research February 2015 - March 2016
• Utilized drones and helicopters to collect data and improve flood inundation mapping models
Engineering Experience
Executive Board, UIowa American Wind Energy Association August 2015 - May 2017
• Designed, assembled, and tested 5 kW wind turbine capable of charging a mobile device
Industrial Sector Operations Engineer, Eaton Corporation Internship May 2016 - August 2016
• Designed and developed safer work environments and saved $50,000 in scrap reduction
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics August 2015 - May 2016
• Researched, designed, and built a high-power rocket to launch in a competition
Quality Control Lead, Bridges to Prosperity Internship in Nicaragua June 2015 - August 2015
• Led quality control for a suspended footbridge with the isolated community of Mata Palo
Leadership and Volunteer Experience
Mentor, Be a Scientist October 2021 – Present
• Guided middle school students through the scientific discovery process as they drive their own projects
President, Ambassador, Engineers in Action September 2014 – August 2020
• Lead teams in designing and building footbridges with isolated communities in developing countries
Acceleration Program Chair, Cleantech Open West January 2019 – December 2019
• Organized startup accelerator program for early stage clean technology startups
Grand Challenges Scholar, National Academy of Engineering May 2015 - May 2018
• Selected as one of six students in the US to speak on a panel at the GCSP Summit in Washington, D.C.
Volunteer, Iowa City Stormwater Volunteer Opportunities September 2015 - April 2018
• Coordinated groups to remove trash and invasive plants from local creeks and rivers
Senator, University of Iowa Student Government January 2017 - May 2017
• Lobbied state government to reduce tuition increases and facilitated water-recycling system
Flood Prevention, City of Cedar Rapids September 2016
• Coordinated University of Iowa effort to assist in flood prevention efforts in Cedar Rapids
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
• Peng, P., Yang, L., Menon, A., Weger, N., Prasher, R., Breunig, H., & Lubner, S. (2022). Techno-economic
Analysis of High-Temperature Thermal Energy Storage for On-Demand Heat and Power.
• Zang, G., Zhang, J., Jia, J., Weger, N., & Ratner, A. (2019). Clean Poultry Energy System Design Based on
Biomass Gasification Technology: Thermodynamic and Economic Analysis. Energies, 12(22), 4235.