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Clarkson University Student's Internship Leads to Breakthrough in Indium Extraction

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Lindsay Cannistra, a junior majoring in chemical engineering at Clarkson University, made a groundbreaking discovery during her internship at Indium Corporation, allowing the company to recover valuable indium metal from a previously waste product, saving time, money, and the element itself. Cannistra's research project, which involved extracting indium metal from plastic, was a huge success, and her findings have been met with excitement from the company and her professor, Selma Mededovic. The discovery is a significant achievement for the company, which is committed to finding ways to recover or recycle indium, a crucial material for manufacturing products such as flat-panel displays.

Key Takeaways:

  • Clarkson University student Lindsay Cannistra, a chemical engineering major, made a breakthrough discovery during her internship at Indium Corporation, finding a way to extract indium metal from a previously waste product.
  • The discovery is a major achievement for Indium Corporation, which is committed to finding ways to recover or recycle indium, a crucial material for manufacturing products such as flat-panel displays.
  • Cannistra's project involved extracting indium metal from plastic, using her training and expertise in science to achieve her goal.
  • The Indium Corporation is housing 5 million pounds of indium-containing solder in its facility at Clinton, N.Y. because previously there was no cost-effective way to extract it.
  • Indium Corporation's research and development team is working closely with Cannistra to continue her research, with a focus on scaling up the process and making it more cost-effective.
  • The discovery has received praise from the company's director of research and development, Todd Ellenor, who describes Cannistra's results as "very encouraging."
  • Clarkson University has a strong track record of launching leaders into the global economy, with one in five alumni holding senior executive positions.
  • Clarkson University's programs in engineering, business, arts, sciences, and the health professions are geared towards addressing the world's pressing issues.

Statistics:

  • 1 in 5 Clarkson University alumni hold a senior executive position, including CEO, VP, or equivalent.
  • 50 programs of study are available at Clarkson University, spanning engineering, business, arts, sciences, and the health professions.
  • 5 million pounds of indium-containing solder is stored at Indium Corporation's facility in Clinton, N.Y.
  • The discovery made by Lindsay Cannistra resulted in a 30-page report outlining her process for extracting indium metal from plastic.
  • Indium Corporation has 12 internship positions available each summer, with positions in research and development, engineering, and other fields.

Sources:

  • "Thanks to Clarkson University junior Lindsay Cannistra's expertise in science, a major corporation and its customers can save time, money, and a valuable element called indium." (Clarkson University)
  • "She did a very good job," says Todd Ellenor, who directs research and development at Indium Corporation. "Her results are very encouraging and we're continuing with her research." (Indium Corporation)
  • "One in five alumni already leads as a CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company." (Clarkson University)
  • "Indium Corporation has its headquarters in Cannistra's hometown of Clinton, N.Y." (Indium Corporation)
  • "Cannistra had been there for career day in high school and had been keeping an eye on the company." (Lindsay Cannistra)

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