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Department of Chemical Engineering
PyRO Lab and Research Group

Environment

The PyRO Lab has a collaborative and authentic work environment and is surrounded by a beautiful and majestic natural environment

Work Culture

Culture of the PyRO Lab is influenced strongly by the mission and aims of BYU, the growth mindset, principles from acceptance and commitment therapy, and practice of crucial conversations.

  • Based on the mission and aims of BYU, the PyRO lab has the following aims:

    1. Provide opportunities for students to gain engineering, interpersonal, and spiritual skills and abilities through challenging research problems.
      Great ideas can go unrealized because teams are bogged down by difficult-to-navigate conflicts. Our approach to resolving conflicts and collaboratively working together is influenced by a core belief that each team member belongs to one another (e.g., we are children of God, shared humanity). This belief helps us to truly value, respect, and listen to others, even when we strongly disagree.
    2. Perform impactful research that utilizes the chemistry of high-temperature salts to develop sustainable (i.e., long-lasting and secure) and transformational technology for critical materials and energy production.
      Because of our core belief in shared humanity and divine heritage of everyone on earth, we want to contribute to improving the quality of life of others in sustainable ways so that as many people as possible may have access to resources as long as possible.
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    To learn more about the growth mindset, read the book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" by Carol Dweck. Available for purchase here

  • The difficulties of researching open-ended, complex problems with no certain solution can be overwhelming at times. The feeling of being overwhelmed combined with repeated failure can lead to procrastination or cognitive paralysis due to an unconscious desire to avoid experiences associated with being overwhelmed or failure.

    Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is based on the acceptance and acknowledgement of our full range of emotions, which allows us to commit to actions that we value, rather than avoiding experiences. This leads to greater empowerment and agency through increased psychological flexibility.

    The six core processes of ACT are:

    1. Acceptance: Becoming aware of the full range of your thoughts and emotions without trying to avoid or change them
    2. Cognitive Defusion: This involves carefully detaching the automatic stories and narratives that we associate with certain thoughts and feelings.
    3. Being Present: Becoming the observer or watcher of your thoughts rather than judge. Be present with your thoughts and feeling with attaching judgement or stories to them.
    4. Self as Context: Your identity consists of more than your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
    5. Values: Identifying/choosing your own personal values rather than choosing action to avoid discomfort or comply with the expectations of others.
    6. Committed Action: Taking steps to better align your action with your identified values

    To learn more about ACT, there are many resources, some of which are listed below:

  • Crucial conversations are where the rubber meets the road. There are three ingredients that makes a conversation crucial: differing opinions/views, high stakes, strong emotions. The previous three aspects of work culture (mission and aims, mindset, ACT) are focused on getting ourselves and our hearts in the best place possible—the WHY. Crucial conversations focus on developing the tools and skills necessary to navigate difficult conversations—the HOW. The graphic and table below from VitalSmarts provides an overview of the skills and tools to navigate crucial conversations.

    The following links below provide more resources for learning about crucial conversations:

The Campus

Nestled in the scenic Wasatch Mountains of Provo, Utah, lies Brigham Young University (BYU). Founded in 1875, this prestigious university boasts a picturesque campus, a vibrant community, and a rich history. To learn more about the BYU campus environment, read the brief highlights listed below and visit https://www.byu.edu/campus-life

Whether you're drawn to its academic excellence, its spiritual foundation, or its vibrant campus life, BYU has something to offer everyone. With its stunning location, dedicated faculty, and diverse opportunities, BYU provides an environment where you can flourish intellectually, personally, and spiritually.

  • With over 34,000 students, BYU is a hub of intellectual and spiritual growth. Its mission is "to assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life," and this is reflected in everything from the curriculum to the campus culture.

    Here are a few noteworthy facts about BYU:

    • Largest religious university in the United States: With over 98% of its students being members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BYU fosters a unique and supportive community.
    • Home to 443,426 alumni: BYU's alumni network is vast and influential, boasting notable figures like Mitt Romney, Ken Jennings, Aaron Eckhart, and Steve Young.
    • Flagship institution of the LDS Church Educational System: BYU plays a vital role in the Church's educational mission, providing a Christ-centered learning environment.
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    Photo by Jaren Wilkey/BYU
    1309-22 0010.jpg
    Photo by Jaren Wilkey/BYU

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    Photo by Nate Edwards
    2006-02 122.jpg
    Photo by Nate Edwards

    BYU's Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering is particularly renowned for its innovative research and dedication to real-world problem-solving. Recent highlights include:

    • Development of the world's smallest Nerf gun: In collaboration with BYU alumnus Mark Rober, the college's engineers created a miniature Nerf blaster that fires actual darts, showcasing their expertise in nanotechnology and miniaturization.
    • Advancements in energy-efficient vehicles, self-flying drones, and rocketry: BYU engineers are constantly pushing the boundaries of technology, developing solutions for a more sustainable and efficient future.
    • Focus on compliant mechanisms and origami-inspired engineering: This unique approach to design leads to the creation of lightweight, adaptable, and multifunctional structures. Click here to learn more

    If you're interested in chemical engineering specifically, BYU's program offers a rigorous curriculum and exceptional research opportunities. Areas of focus include:

    • Biomedical engineering: Develop life-saving technologies and treatments for medical applications.
    • Environmental engineering: Tackle environmental challenges like pollution and resource management.
    • Materials science and engineering: Design and create new materials with improved properties.
    • More research areas can be found here
    World's Smallest Nerf Gun

  • BYU offers a vibrant campus life with something for everyone. You can:

    • Cheer on the BYU Cougars at sporting events: From football and basketball to volleyball and gymnastics, BYU's athletic teams are a source of immense pride for the university community.
    • Immerse yourself in the arts: Enjoy world-class performances at the BYU Marriott Center for Performing Arts or explore diverse exhibits at the BYU Museum of Art.
    • Expand your horizons at the various museums: Discover fascinating artifacts at the BYU Museum of Paleontology, learn about different cultures at the BYU Museum of Peoples and Cultures, or delve into the history of the Mormon people at the Museum of Mormon Mexican History.
    • Get involved in service opportunities: BYU has a strong tradition of service, and there are countless ways to give back to the community, both locally and globally.

Collaborators

A healthy ecosystem of partners is a critical part of our success. We actively seek and foster collaborations with organizations with synergistic aims and values.
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URISE

Undergraduate Research in Sustainable Engineering (URISE) Internship
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Seven Peak of Utah County

Seven prominent peaks ring Utah Valley, in center of which our lab and BYU resides.

  • Below is a map of the seven peaks and their relative location to BYU with a photo from my climbs of each peak.

    Photo by Devin Rappleye
    Photo by Devin Rappleye

  • Lone Peak has a 11,253′ (3430 meters) summit located at the very north end of Utah Valley. The hike to summit is one of the most strenuous in the area. It is over 15 miles round trip and has more than 5,500' of vertical gain. The reward of making this steep climb is entering into on of the scenic places in the area, the cirque of Lone Peak. Some photos from my climb to the summit are shown below.

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  • Mount Timpanogos is the second northernmost of the seven peaks of Utah Valley. Standing at an elevation of 11,752 feet (3,582 meters), it is the second highest peak in the area (Wasatch mountain range). The mountain is named after the Timpanogos tribe, who inhabited the Utah Valley starting in 1400 AD. There are many trails with varying levels of difficulty that are accessible for hiking on and around this mountain. Some of these trails are just a short 20–30-minute drive from BYU’s campus. The trail to the summit is a 13.9-mile hike with 4,901 feet of vertical gain and is one of the most popular trails in the area.

    The images below are taken from my various hikes to the summit and around the mountain.

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  • Cascade Mountain is third northernmost of the seven peaks of Utah Valley with an elevation of 10,908 feet (3,325 meters). The mountain is visible from most places in the valley, including BYU’s campus, which is just a short drive away from the mountain. There are many trails with varying levels of difficulty that are accessible for hiking on and around this mountain. The Dry Fork Canyon trail is one of the popular routes to the summit, which is a challenging 13.2-mile hike with 5,016 feet of vertical gain.

    Below are some of my photos from my hikes to the summit and around the mountain.

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  • Provo Peak is the central peak of the seven and lies directly east of BYU's campus with an elevation of 11,068 feet (3,374 meters) . It is obscured from view on BYU’s campus by Y mountain. There are no well-maintained trails to the summit, but there are several routes that are steep. The most popular route, just a 5-minute drive from our lab, is the 11.6-mile out-and-back trail with 6,522 feet of vertical gain. While the trail to the summit of Provo Peak is considered a highly challenging route and should only be attempted by seasoned hikers, the same trail leads to easier destinations, such as the "Y" and the summit or Y mountain.

    Below are some photos from my hikes to the summit and around the mountain.

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