
© Max Kessler 2025
Portable Mass Spectrometer
engineering and science intern at Trace Matters Scientific
May-August 2018
Somerville, MA
funded by NASA to develop technology for mars exploration

I joined Trace Matters to experience working at a technology-driven startup at Greentown Labs, the largest clean technology incubator in the United States. I helped develop a low cost, miniature mass spectrometer to bring lab-grade chemical analysis to the field.

I designed in CAD and performed stress FEA

I tested designs by simulating ion trajectories


I fabricated special materials, such as PEEK, for prototypes

I interacted with OEM vendors and potential customers
I experienced the resiliency of excellent teamwork in the face of challenging and ambitious projects, and I appreciated my responsibilities and the perspectives I could contribute as the only mechanical engineer on the team.