AI-Designed Materials to Cool and Decarbonize Data Centers with Orbital

Dr. Mark Jacobson is a professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Atmosphere Energy Program at Stanford University, where he’s been one of the most vocal advocates for powering the world entirely with wind, water, and solar energy. No nuclear, no carbon capture, no fossil fuels of any kind. His research team has created 100% renewable energy roadmaps for all 50 U.S. states and 149 countries, helping shape policies like New York’s clean energy mandate. In this episode, Dr. Jacobson shares his perspective on where we are in the renewables adoption curve and explains why he believes that technologies like nuclear power, carbon capture, and biofuels aren’t just unnecessary, they’re harmful distractions from the clean energy transition he sees as both achievable and urgent.This conversation may be polarizing. While many will agree with Mark's take on renewables and the grid, his firm rejection of other low-carbon tech challenges mainstream climate thinking. We believe these fault lines are worth exploring, even, or especially, when they make people uncomfortable.Episode recorded on June 30, 2025 (Published on July 15, 2025)In this episode, we cover: ⁠[02:32]⁠ Why proposed tax changes threaten renewables⁠[05:45]⁠ Fossil fuel subsidies vs. renewables support⁠[06:29]⁠ China’s rapid clean energy deployment⁠[10:44]⁠ Rooftop solar offsets California’s rising demand⁠[12:20]⁠ Home and utility batteries reshaping grid usage⁠[14:40]⁠ Texas grid inefficiencies and renewables progress⁠[18:21]⁠ Combining wind, solar and batteries[19:26]⁠ Land use myths about wind and solar[22:49] Dr. Mark Jacobson’s background and research⁠[27:23]⁠ How to phase out existing fossil infrastructure⁠[31:36]⁠ Dr. Jacobson’s rejection of carbon capture[36:52] His thoughts on nuclear[42:11] Dr. Jacobson’s thoughts on geothermal[46:19] How he sees the next decade unfolding Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Katherine Boyle and Erin Price-Wright are General Partners at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), leading the firm's American Dynamism practice. This episode explores how their team invests in companies tackling national imperatives—ranging from defense and manufacturing to energy and critical infrastructure. Katherine shares how American Dynamism emerged from portfolio patterns at a16z, while Erin describes how her background at Palantir informs her investment lens. Together, they unpack why the U.S. must reindustrialize, how software is now eating the physical world, and what they look for in high-capex startups. This conversation also highlights the evolving U.S.-China industrial competition, the role of government in innovation, and why talent is moving from Big Tech into “hard tech.”In this episode, we cover: ⁠[02:30]⁠ An overview of a16z⁠[04:59]⁠ Its thesis shift from defense to energy and industry⁠[07:49]⁠ How AI is transforming heavy industries[8:24] Tech stack for US vs. China[12:23]⁠ Role of government versus private capital⁠[16:14]⁠ Why software is still the core of industrial innovation[16:55]⁠ Base Power as a software-led grid infrastructure play⁠[20:42]⁠ When vertical AI-native startups beat incumbents⁠[21:48]⁠ How a16z helps startups navigate Washington⁠[27:51]⁠ Why energy problems require system-level solutions⁠[31:57]⁠ Moats in energy and manufacturing[37:51] a16z’s American Dynamism 50 list⁠[40:16]⁠ Battery supply chains and the China dependency⁠[46:44]⁠ Why capital stack strategy matters for hard tech founders⁠[48:52]⁠ Looking 10 years aheadEpisode recorded on May 21, 2025 (Published on June 30, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Suvi Sharma is the CEO and Co-Founder at SOLARCYCLE. SOLARCYCLE is an emerging leader in the nascent category of solar panel recycling. The astounding ramp of solar panels deployed across the world rivals almost any technology adoption curve in history, and it's far from over. There were only five gigawatts of solar deployed globally between 2000 and 2005. By the end of 2025, a mere 20 years later, there will be around 2,000 gigawatts of solar deployed globally, and the growth is expected to continue to be exponential. That's billions and billions of panels that collectively make up a few hundred thousand square miles of space. And given the rate of installation, most of these panels are early in their expected lifespans. So, what happens when they do hit the end of life? Surely they aren't going to just be landfilled, right? Right? That's what Suvi's here to about. In this episode, we cover: ⁠ [01:16]⁠ Solar panel deployment vs. end-of-life lag⁠[03:40]⁠ Billions of panels, billions of square feet⁠[05:11]⁠ 1.2B panels produced annually—set to triple⁠[07:06]⁠ Why is now the time to build recycling⁠[08:36]⁠ Who’s responsible for end-of-life? Developers[9:36] Federal and state regulatory requirements⁠[10:46]⁠ Why landfilling is harder than it looks⁠[12:44]⁠ What makes solar panels tough to recycle⁠[14:01]⁠ The high-value metals: silver, copper, aluminum⁠[16:17]⁠ How SOLARCYCLE’s proprietary process works[18:01] The company’s customer base⁠[19:18]⁠ Over 1M panels recycled in 2024⁠[20:44]⁠ Future opportunities in solar + storage recycling[21:57] SOLARCYCLE’s funding to date[24:55] Commodity markets for recycled materials[26:39] What’s holding back growth for panel recycling[30:05] SOLARCYCLE is hiring⁠[33:54] Panels as feedstock materials for domestic manufacturingEpisode recorded on May 22, 2025 (Published on June 30, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Haakon Brunell is the CEO and Co-founder of Carbon Crusher, a Norwegian company turning traditional road construction on its head. Carbon Crusher refurbishes existing roads using bio-based binders and on-site recycling to create carbon-negative, cost-effective, and more durable infrastructure. In this episode, Haakon shares how their "Crushing-as-a-Service" model and SkyRoads AI platform reduce emissions, increase road longevity, and drive down costs. He explains why roads are both a climate problem and a climate opportunity—and how Carbon Crusher plans to sequester a gigaton of CO₂ by 2035.MCJ is an investor in Carbon Crusher, having participated in the company's seed round back in 2022 when it emerged from Y Combinator. Guest hosting for the first time on this episode is MCJ Partner, Thai Nguyen. Enjoy the show! In this episode, we cover: [02:23] Launching Carbon Crusher out of Y Combinator[05:22] An overview of Carbon Crusher[06:15] Roads as a climate problem and carbon sink opportunity[08:21] Emissions from traditional road refurbishment[09:41] Carbon Crusher's 3 pillars: crushing, bio-binders, and AI platform[12:52] Why roads are now stronger, cheaper, and greener[14:14] Customer mindset in a conservative industry[17:49] Origin story from winter-damaged roads in Norway[21:12] Performance in both cold and hot weather climates[22:53] Customers include cities, counties, and private road owners[26:12] SkyRoads AI helps digitize and plan road maintenance[28:45] Challenges: regulation and conservative decision-making[30:53] Vision: sequestering a gigaton of CO₂ by 2035Episode recorded on May 13, 2025 (Published on June 23, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Cully Cavness is the co-founder, president, and COO of Crusoe, an energy-first AI infrastructure company. In this live episode recorded in Austin, Texas, Cully shares how Crusoe evolved from capturing flared gas for Bitcoin mining to becoming a leading developer of hyperscale data centers. He discusses the company’s pivotal role in Project Stargate—a $500B AI infrastructure effort led by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle—and how Crusoe is building a 1.2 gigawatt data center campus in Abilene, Texas. Cully reflects on the decision to divest its original Bitcoin business, the company’s vertical integration strategy, and how energy abundance will shape the future of AI. Thanks to our sponsors for this event: Gunderson Dettmer, and J.P. Morgan.In this episode, we cover: ⁠[00:24]⁠ An overview of Crusoe⁠[01:08]⁠ Its role in Project Stargate and Abilene data center⁠[03:41]⁠ Shift from outbound to inbound interest⁠[06:17]⁠ Company pivots and existential startup bets[09:09]⁠ Sale of Bitcoin mining business to NYDIG[11:40]⁠ Flared gas capture and climate impact overview⁠[14:57]⁠ From digital flare mitigation to stranded wind use⁠[17:27]⁠ Cully’s personal energy background and worldview⁠[22:14]⁠ Why AI could drive climate and fusion breakthroughs⁠[25:47]⁠ Details of the 1.2 GW Abilene campus for Oracle⁠[36:42]⁠ 3,500 skilled trades supporting data center build⁠[44:42]⁠ Natural gas as a bridge fuel + CCS investmentsEpisode recorded on June 10, 2025 (Published on June 17, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today on Inevitable, we’re joined by three guests to focus on the clean energy tax provisions currently at risk in the Congressional budget reconciliation process—what’s being called the One Big Beautiful Bill. This is our second episode on this topic this week. Our guests are Jeremy Harrell, CEO at the right-of-center clean energy policy firm ClearPath; Spencer Nelson, Director of Federal Affairs at Form Energy; and Vikrum Aiyer, Head of Global Public Policy and External Affairs at Heirloom.The goal of this conversation is to get to the root of the proposed changes in the legislation passed by the House and now under consideration in the Senate. We also explore which amendments are on the table and how those of us working in climate and energy innovation can help influence the outcome.In this episode, we cover: ⁠[01:06]⁠ Why this bill matters for climate tech⁠[03:19]⁠ Jeremy’s background in conservative energy policy⁠[04:08]⁠ Spencer on Form’s long-duration batteries⁠[05:40]⁠ Vikrum explains Heirloom’s DAC technology⁠[08:44]⁠ What the reconciliation process actually means⁠[13:42]⁠ Why the FEOC rule could block progress⁠[17:41]⁠ Why startups need credit transferability⁠[25:01]⁠ 60-day window threatens new projects⁠[27:36]⁠ What’s at stake for solar and storage⁠[31:32]⁠ Energy cost risks if credits vanish⁠[35:42]⁠ How founders and VCs can take action⁠[41:56]⁠ Tips for contacting your senator directlyEpisode recorded on June 6, 2025 (Published on June 12, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Michael Thomas joins us to discuss the clean energy tax provisions and industrial stimulus in the Inflation Reduction Act, which have brought billions of dollars in private investment and added gigawatts of power. However, these provisions are at risk of being cut as the "One Big Beautiful Bill" makes its way through Congress.Michael is a repeat guest and a data expert who has been tracking over 10,000 clean energy projects through his business, Cleanview. Since his last appearance, he's been highlighting the potential impact of these provisions. We discuss the challenges they face and how their loss would affect U.S. manufacturing and energy. Contrary to the name of the show, the loss of these provisions is not inevitable—Michael and Cody explore the ways we can all get involved to prevent it.Episode recorded on June 6, 2025 (Published on June 9, 2025)In this episode, we cover: [2:45] Michael’s work since his last appearance[8:34] Cleanview and its clients[10:47] IRA’s impact on clean energy[13:59] Billion-dollar investments in red states[16:22] Cuts to clean energy in the Big Beautiful Bill[19:25] Economic impacts in Republican districts[23:11] Consequences of halting clean energy deployment[29:45] The transfer of wealth behind the bill[36:25] The Musk-Trump feud[38:20] Actions people can take[44:18] Timeframes for the bill to pass and go into effect Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Brent Minchew is Co-Founder, Executive Director, and Chief Scientist at Arête Glacier Initiative, a new nonprofit launched to close the gap between frontier glaciology research and actionable sea-level forecasts—and to probe whether “brake-tapping” inside Antarctic glaciers can slow their slide into the sea. Brent explains why current models still span 1–6 feet of rise by 2100—even if Paris targets are met—and how melting glaciers, especially Antarctica’s so-called “Doomsday Glacier,” drive that uncertainty. He details why glaciology remains drastically underfunded, how sea-level changes already threaten coastal economies via insurance markets, and where Arête’s first $5 million in philanthropic capital is going. He also walks through early-stage solutions—from thermo-siphons that passively refreeze ice to pumping sub-glacial water—that could “hit the brakes” on glacier flow and buy humanity time for deep decarbonization.In this episode, we cover: [03:45] Launching Arête to bridge glacier science and solutions[05:38] Inside the “doomsday glacier” and its global risk[07:18] Why Thwaites may collapse even if we hit climate goals[09:51] Sea level rise: Millions displaced per inch[12:41] The silent crisis of glacial melt[13:28] Economic ripple effects of rising seas[15:53] What Larsen B’s collapse taught us[20:04] Arête’s model: Philanthropy + global research[22:51] Advancing glacier tech through TRL stages[25:45] How Antarctica is governed[35:28] Refreezing glaciers with thermo-siphons[45:00] Drilling costs vs. seawalls: Where’s the value?Episode recorded on May 14, 2025 (Published on June 2, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Jonathan Godwin is co-founder and CEO of Orbital Materials, an AI-first materials-engineering start-up. The company open-sourced Orb, a state-of-the-art simulation model, and now designs bespoke porous materials—its first aimed at cooling data-centres while capturing CO₂ or water. Jonathan shares how his DeepMind background shaped Orbital’s “design-before-experiment” approach, why the team chose data-center sustainability as a beachhead market, and what it takes to build a vertically integrated, AI-native industrial company. The conversation explores the future of faster, cheaper R&D, the role of advanced materials in decarbonization, and the leap from software to physical products.In this episode, we cover: [02:12] Johnny’s path from DeepMind to materials start-up[04:02] Trial-and-error vs AI-driven design shift[06:40] University/industry dynamics in materials R&D[10:17] Generative agent plus simulation for rapid discovery[13:01] Mitigating hallucinations with virtual experiments[18:18] Choosing a “hero” product and vertical integration[25:43] Dual-use chiller for cooling and CO₂ or water capture[32:26] Partnering on manufacturing to stay asset-light[35:58] Building an AI-native industrial giant of the future[36:51]: Orbital’s investorsEpisode recorded on April 30, 2025 (Published on May 27, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Matt Loszak is CEO and co-founder of Aalo Atomics, a startup designing 50-megawatt nuclear power plants made of pods of five 10-megawatt reactors each, targeting the data center market. Inspired by the MARVEL test reactor that his CTO Yasir Arafat led at Idaho National Lab, Aalo pursues parallel DOE and NRC pathways, betting that factory-built, pad-ready nuclear plants can slash cost, schedule, and grid-interconnection delays. Now 45 teammates strong and raising a Series B, Aalo aims to break ground on its first plant within 12 months and go critical the year after, powering the AI era with compact, clean, always-on fission.In this episode, we cover: [02:31] From SaaS to fission: Matt's founder journey[07:08] Yasir’s path and the Marvel reactor at INL[08:56] How national labs help launch commercial nuclear[12:12] Aalo’s dual regulatory path: DOE + NRC[13:45] Why Aalo is building reactors for data centers[17:19] Designing for mass manufacturing, not megaprojects[21:50] Security differences across nuclear facility types[25:03] Fuel and enrichment: what Aalo had to consider[28:02] Switching to LEU+ for supply chain resilience[31:04] Comparing XMRs, SMRs, and micro‑reactors[33:25] Inside the Aalo Pod: 5 x 10MW modules with built-in redundancy[37:15] Regulatory updates on NRC civilian licensing[38:43] Nuclear + AI: mutually transformative technologies[41:35] Hiring at Aalo: who they need nextEpisode recorded on April 23, 2025 (Published on May 19, 2025) Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant