SULI - AMD - Velazquez, Makisig - 6.17.26

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.

Education and Experience Requirements

• The entirety of the appointment must be conducted within the United States.
• Applicants must be:

‒ 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

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EEO Information

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.