Comstock's magazine 1217 - December 2017 | Page 60

n STRATEGY
Ideally, these types of networks are available for in-
novators at a young age. To help teenagers tap into their
innovative potential, Jennings emphasizes connecting
youth to teachers, mentors and programs. “Show them
people who are doing it,” she says. “Then give them an
opportunity to tinker so they can do it themselves.”
EXPERIMENT (REPEATEDLY)
Rob White, chief strategist for waste gasification compa-
ny Sierra Energy, spends a lot of time tinkering with trash
— his team has taken up the challenge of revolutionizing
the way we dispose of it.
With the help of investments from both the Depart-
ment of Defense and the California Energy Commission,
since 2009, Sierra has been developing a new technolo-
gy called FastOx, which injects oxygen into the burning
process and converts trash into clean, renewable energy
— including electricity, diesel and hydrogen fuel.
Revolutionizing our waste management will require
experimentation, and rigorous trial and error, says White.
Sierra's first gasifier prototype was just a small cylin-
der about the size of a can of coffee beans. Researchers
stuffed the can full of garbage. Then they lit the can with
a blowtorch that was enriched with oxygen (this is what
separates the process from normal burning), but as White
put it, “the torch burned all the way through to the other
side of the can.” The scientists redesigned the prototype
to squish it down so that it’s fatter in the middle, giving
more room for the burn. This worked. The prototype is
now a reality, and Sierra is actively selling units which
convert trash to energy.
“When we talk about innovators at Sierra, we’re look-
ing for people who can not only see down the road, but
also see seven or eight ways to get there,” White says.
“They might pick one path and execute, but then they’re
f lexible enough to try something else.”
The best innovators, according to Marrone, are the
ones who can quickly spot a dead-end, recover and adapt.
“Innovation is not about aha,” she says. “A lot of it has
to do with persistence, determination and adaptability.
When something doesn’t work, you quickly pivot.”
SAFE Credit Union unveiled its newest branch, located at 121 North Sunrise Blvd. in Roseville.
The branch was built in partnership with Kimmel Construction and Stantec Architecture, featuring
a fresh design concept that helps SAFE continue to deliver top-notch member service.
SPECIAL THANKS TO
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comstocksmag.com | December 2017