2026 Internship Opportunities

Fusion reactors fueled by helium-3 (³He) and deuterium offer a promising pathway to carbon-free energy with minimal radioactive byproducts. While ³He is scarce on Earth, it is implanted in lunar regolith by the solar wind. Developing sustainable strategies for extracting ³He on the Moon could dramatically reduce the environmental footprint of terrestrial mining and large-scale solar and wind farms.

This project will engage two interns in computational mineral physics and planetary materials modeling to investigate how helium is stored and released from lunar minerals. Interns will:

• Use density functional theory (DFT) datasets and machine-learning interatomic potentials to study helium diffusion and release kinetics in ilmenite, olivine, and other lunar minerals.
• Simulate thermal desorption processes to identify optimal conditions for ³He recovery and compare their environmental impact with terrestrial energy resource extraction.

The interns will receive close mentorship, training in atomistic simulation methods, and exposure to the broader climate-energy implications of fusion fuels. Their work will contribute to evaluating the feasibility of extraterrestrial resource utilization for advancing global energy sustainability.

The interns will work on computational modeling of helium behavior in lunar minerals to assess the feasibility of extracting helium-3 for clean fusion energy. Their responsibilities will include:

• Learning and applying atomistic modeling tools (DFT datasets, molecular dynamics, and machine learning interatomic potentials).
• Running simulations to investigate helium diffusion and thermal release from representative lunar minerals.
• Analyzing results to identify key factors controlling helium mobility and recovery efficiency.
• Comparing environmental impacts of extraterrestrial helium extraction with terrestrial energy resource use.
• Preparing a final report and presentation summarizing findings for the HMEI Summer of Learning Symposium.

The project is designed to provide intensive mentorship, hands-on computational training, and interdisciplinary context connecting planetary science, energy technology, and environmental sustainability.

By the end of the internship, students will be able to:

• Apply computational techniques (density functional theory datasets, molecular dynamics, and machine learning interatomic potentials) to study planetary materials.
• Analyze atomic-scale diffusion and release processes of helium in lunar minerals and interpret their significance for helium-3 extraction.
• Evaluate the environmental implications of extraterrestrial resource utilization compared to terrestrial mining and renewable energy infrastructure.
• Communicate scientific findings effectively, through written reports, figures, and oral presentations at the HMEI Summer of Learning Symposium.
• Integrate knowledge across disciplines (mineral physics, planetary science, energy systems, and climate studies) to frame research questions in a broader sustainability context.

Students will gain hands-on experience in computational mineral physics, exposure to frontier research in fusion energy resources, and an appreciation for how fundamental science connects to global environmental challenges.

MAT 103 and MAT 104 and PHY 103 or equivalent. Multivariable calculus, linear algebra (or differential equations), or college physics, Quantum mechanics basics.

Exposure to programming (e.g., Python, Fortran) are a plus.

• Students will meet with internship mentors in the spring, prior to the internship start date.
• Some suggested reading include: Introductory readings on fusion energy, helium-3 as a fuel source, and lunar regolith properties (articles and review papers will be provided in advance). Background review of basic concepts in solid-state physics, planetary materials, or computational methods. Preliminary tutorials (provided by the mentor and graduate students) on atomistic simulation tools, such as density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics, and machine learning interatomic potentials.
• Students are responsible for securing accommodations for the duration of their internship. On-campus summer housing is typically available the first week of June until the first week of August (details to become available in Spring 2026). If the internship falls outside of on-campus housing availability, students will need to secure alternate housing.