Benjamin Kellie

Currently a Launch and Test Engineer at Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), responsible for multiple systems and projects. Concurrently developing a thermoelectric charging solution as co-founder of StampTEG (www.stampteg.com), which is a start-up born out of Ohio State's Business Builders Club. Winner of the Winter 2012 IdeaPitch competition, StampTEG is now building final working prototypes of it's patent pending technology and testing them in the real world.

Completed a MS in Mechanical Engineering at the Ohio State University in the area of fluid mechanics and heat transfer with applications in alternative energy. Worked on a NSF-SBIR project with a small business as well as designed and fabricated ceramic micro-combustors for hydrogen and graphene production..

Previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Focused on hands-on mechanical engineering design and applied research. Was the principal investigator of a Center for Global Change (UA Foundation) funded research project investigating the arctic viability of a small-scale axial flux wind turbine of our own design. Also spearheaded numerous student-led projects in the department, while simultaneously pursuing inter-disciplinary collaborations with student organizations as ASME President.

While at UAF, was also a co-designer/machinist at the Alaska Space Grant Program. Worked to produce and develop the first and second "cubesat" microgravity satellite prototypes which were tested at Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX aboard the "Weightless Wonder" aka the "Vomit Comet" in microgravity. Also helped work on the Student Rocket Project, a NASA funded endeavor at Poker Flat Rocket Range, which studied the D-region of the ionosphere during aurora events.

Specialties: Mechanical engineering design, sustainable design, small alternative energy solutions, micro-scale fabrication, fabrication, machinist, group organization, project management