SULI - AMD - Velazquez, Makisig - 6.17.26

Argonne National Laboratory • Lemont, IL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The United States faces a strategic imperative to secure domestic supplies of critical minerals essential for advanced manufacturing, national defense, and emerging technologies. However, exploration and extraction of these minerals— including rare earth elements, lithium, cobalt, nickel, tungsten, and graphite—are hindered by the high cost and rapid wear of drilling equipment in challenging geological formations. This experimental project will investigate the application of ultrafast boriding technology to enhance the durability and performance of drilling tools used in critical minerals exploration, enabling faster drilling rates with lowercost materials. By creating ultra-hard boride surface layers on conventional steel drill bits and downhole tools, we can significantly extend tool life, reduce drilling costs by 20–30%, and accelerate the pace of domestic mineral discovery. The technology's ability to transform affordable carbon and low-alloy steels into wearresistant, high-performance drilling components could democratize access to advanced drilling capabilities for small-scale exploration companies, making previously uneconomical domestic deposits viable for production. Furthermore, reducing reliance on expensive imported drilling materials and extending equipment lifespan directly supports national goals for domestic critical mineral supply chain resilience and reduces dependence on foreign mineral sources. The SULI intern will work directly with our research team in the Applied Materials Division at Argonne National Laboratory, gaining hands-on experience in advanced surface treatment processes.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited institution.
• Graduated from an accredited institution within the past 3 months; or actively enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited institution.
• Must be 18 years or older at the time the appointment begins.
• Must possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident at the time of application.
• If accepting an offer, must pass a screening drug test.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with our research team in the Applied Materials Division at Argonne National Laboratory.
• Gain hands-on experience in advanced surface treatment processes.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed