First Principles with Christian Keil The Deep View

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Episode 10: Impulse Labs has a master plan to revolutionize the grid by building the world’s highest-performance home appliances. They started with a stove. Here’s how it works.

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(00:00) - Introduction
(00:40) - What Impulse is Building - High Performance Home Appliances
(01:40) - The Performance Difference Between Impulse's Stoves and Gas/Normal Induction
(03:24) - How Impulse Enables High Power Without Electrical Upgrades Using Batteries
(06:17) - Volts, Amps, Watts and How They Relate to Home Electrical Systems
(12:23) - Why Impulse Chose the Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Chemistry
(16:40) - The Safety Testing and Certification Process for New Appliances
(18:28) - The Potential of Sodium Ion Batteries
(20:02) - How Batteries in Appliances Can Help Balance Renewable Energy on the Grid(27:18) - The Physics of How Induction Stoves Heat Pans Without Getting Hot Themselves(32:33) - How Gallium Nitride Enables Smaller, More Efficient Electronics(34:18) - Precise Temperature Control Via Induction Current Regulation and Sensors(37:28) - The Potential for Automated Cooking Routines and Regulatory Limitations(39:07) - The Process of Finding and Working With a Consumer Electronics Manufacturer(44:10) - Sending Prototypes Back and Forth and Leveraging the Manufacturer's Expertise(47:22) - The Huge Potential for Battery-Powered Appliances to Transform the Grid(50:12) - Taking a Measured, Market-Driven Approach to Electrification vs Gas Stoves(52:30) - Performance Over Politics in Driving Electrification(54:15) - Tech Architecture Enabling Rapid New Product Development(56:40) - Massive Market Opportunity for Home Batteries(58:50) - Regulatory Standards for Bidirectional Power(01:00:30) - Cultural Shift to Accelerate Electric Appliance Adoption(01:02:45) - Building an Iconic High Performance Brand(01:04:50) - Conclusion and Where to Learn More
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Links:
Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyleSam D’Amico - https://twitter.com/sdamicoImpulse - https://www.impulselabs.com/
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Production and marketing by The Deep View (https://thedeepview.co). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm
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Episode 9: Justin worked at SpaceX and Anduril before starting Base Power, which is aiming to build a modern power company — and an energy trading business on top of it.

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(00:00) - Intro
(00:41) - What Base Power is Building
(03:26) - How Texas' Energy Grid and Market Works
(08:42) - Sponsor Break
(09:28) - Why Batteries are Needed to Support the Grid
(14:09) - Base Power's Unique Battery Deployment Model
(19:35) - Optimizing the Battery System Design
(24:14) - Streamlining the Deployment Process
(29:03) - Build vs Buy Decisions Across the Value Chain
(32:18) - Software Strategy Across Device, Cloud, and Customer
(36:00) - Balancing Customer Needs with Grid Services
(39:06) - Potential for DC Power Distribution in Homes
(40:31) - The Vision for Long-Duration Storage
(43:51) - Scaling Base Power and Driving Costs Down
(48:18) - Defining the Interfaces and Controlling the Value Chain
(52:04) - Advice for Startup Founders and Closing Thoughts
(56:11) - Conclusion

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Links:
Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyleJustin Lopas – https://twitter.com/JLopasBase Power - https://www.basepowercompany.com/
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Production and marketing by The Deep View (https://thedeepview.co). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm

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Episode 8: Ben Nowack built a fusion reactor in high school. Now he’s building huge mirrors in space that reflect sunlight onto solar farms at night.

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(00:00) - Intro(00:39) - What Reflect Orbital is Building(02:30) - How the Satellite Mirrors Work(06:16) - Deploying the Mirrors in Space(10:14) - Mirror Size Considerations(13:51) - Dealing with Space Debris and Micrometeorites(17:07) - Early Demonstrations with High Altitude Balloons(23:11) - Advantages over Other Space Solar Concepts(28:56) - Target Customers and Business Model(35:57) - Constellation Size and Orbit Design(40:42) - Using Solar Sailing for Propulsion(49:38) - Benefits of Solar Sailing for Space Exploration(54:06) - Tiny Force of Solar Sailing and Payload Limitations(55:58) - Maintaining Altitude vs Pointing at Solar Farms(59:14) - Attitude Control with Control Moment Gyros(01:02:44) - Desaturating Control Moment Gyros(01:05:21) - Monte Carlo Simulations for Constellation Design(01:11:00) - Monte Carlo Simulation 101(01:13:38) - Exciting Developments in Solar and Energy(01:22:17) - Sunlight as a Service Business Model(01:24:04) - Wrap Up and How to Learn More

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Links:
Christian Keil: https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyleBen Nowack: https://twitter.com/bennbuildsReflect Orbital: https://www.reflectorbital.com/
First Principles:
Reflectance: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReflectanceSolar power: https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/135642main_balance_trifold21.pdfRadiation pressure for solar sailing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_pressure#:~:text=The%20assertion%20that%20light%2C%20as,and%20Gordon%20Ferrie%20Hull%20inCMG “control moment gyroscope“: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_moment_gyroscopeMonte Carlo simulation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Carlo_method
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Production and marketing by The Deep View (https://thedeepview.co). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm

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Nato decided against building a laser-powered rocket in favor of Longshot Space: a gun powered by pressurized air that can shoot payloads into orbit.

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(00:00) - Intro
(00:42) - Nato's Early Idea for a Laser Rocket at Astranis
(02:30) - Nato Initially Being Skeptical of Longshot's Gun Idea
(04:02) - Writing a Simulation that Showed a 4km Gun Could Reach Orbit
(05:43) - Deciding to Join Longshot Full-Time after an SBIR Grant
(07:22) - What Longshot is Building - A Massive Gun to Launch Payloads to Orbit
(09:40) - Comparing Longshot to Hyperloop and SpinLaunch
(10:52) - The Projectile's Trajectory after Exiting the Gun
(13:35) - Reasons for Choosing a Gas Gun over Railgun or Traditional Gun
(16:11) - The Critical First Moments after the Projectile Exits the Gun
(18:02) - Longshot's Plan to Start with Hypersonic Testing
(20:24) - Target Launch Costs of $10-$500 per kg, Orders of Magnitude Cheaper
(23:28) - Using Space Tugs to Enable Different Orbits from an Equatorial Gun
(26:08) - Drastically Lower Costs Enabling Things like Tractors on the Moon
(28:30) - The Path from Garage Prototype to Orbital Launch System
(31:44) - Traditional Rockets vs Gun Launch Physics and Engineering
(35:35) - Iterating on Burst Disk Design to Get Microsecond Timing
(44:04) - Going from Failed Mach 2 Shots to Mach 4 by Improving Projectiles
(46:54) - Doing Hypersonic Testing in a Converted Auto Shop
(49:14) - Iterating on Ways to Safely Catch Hypersonic Projectiles
(51:53) - Using High Speed Cameras to Analyze Projectile Behavior
(54:04) - Light Gates to Trigger Precise Timing of Barrel Accelerators
(56:40) - Parts of the System with High vs Low Confidence
(59:54) - Nato's Philosophy as a Generalist Engineer
(01:03:15) - The Elegance of Passive Analog Guidance like the Sunbeam Toaster
(01:07:17) - Being Okay with Initially Being Bad at Things to Become a Generalist
(01:09:30) - Preference for Working on Civilization-Changing Mega Projects
(01:10:26) - Conclusion

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Links:
Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyleNato Saichek – https://twitter.com/natosaichekLongshot Space – https://www.longshotspace.com/
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Production and marketing by The Deep View (https://thedeepview.co). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm

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Episode 6: When heated, sodium emits energy via visible light at 2.1eV (or 589 nm wavelength). So, if you make an engine that heats up sodium, you can tune a solar cell to exactly that frequency and capture light efficiently — giving you the portability of a battery with the energy density of hydrocarbons.
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(00:00) - Intro(00:32) - Danielle’s Background(04:40) - Early Interest in Energy and Fusion Research(08:14) - Leaving Academia to Become an Entrepreneur(11:40) - Starting LightSail and Innovating in Compressed Air Energy Storage(15:35) - Reflecting on LightSail and Compressed Air Energy Storage(19:48) - Limitations of Batteries, Engines, and Fuel Cells(22:30) - The Vision for Portable, Energy-Dense Power Generation(27:16) - Rethinking Combustion and Light Generation for Compact Power(31:56) - How the New Power Generation Process Works(37:58) - Managing High Temperatures and System Components(42:26) - Recirculating Heat for Higher Efficiency(48:38) - Theoretical Limits and Practical Challenges(52:50) - Engineering Solutions to Minimize Losses(58:32) - The Experimental Approach to Rapid Learning(01:02:54) - Balancing Exploratory Work with Systematic Testing(01:07:40) - Developing the Craftsmanship of Research(01:11:15) - Managing Company Priorities while Preserving Creativity(01:15:18) - Advice for Learning and Advancing Technology(01:18:36) - Building Real Projects and Sharing Knowledge(01:22:10) - Conclusion
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Links:Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyleDanielle Fong – https://twitter.com/DanielleFong Lightcell Energy – https://www.lightcellenergy.com/
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Production and marketing by The Deep View (https://thedeepview.co). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm
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Episode 5: Garrett wants to deliver any good in under ten minutes, for under a quarter, using drones that burrow underground.

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(00:00) - Intro
(00:50) - What Pipedream is Building
(02:17) - Garrett's Background and Learning to Build Businesses
(04:02) - How Pipedream Moves Things Efficiently in Cities
(07:07) - Why Pneumatic Tubes are Not the Solution
(10:08) - How Pipedream's System Works with Robots, Rails, and Totes
(13:20) - Designing the Track to Handle Curves and Turns
(17:27) - Pipedream's Initial Focus on Instant Pickup and Curbside Delivery
(20:12) - The Vision for Edge Warehouses and Hyperlogistics
(23:05) - The Key Challenges in Scaling Autonomous Logistics
(28:37) - Why Last Mile Delivery Speed is More About Deployment Than Robot Speed
(31:10) - The Hardest Problems Pipedream is Solving
(37:14) - How Pipedream Decided on Underground Delivery Infrastructure
(41:37) - Leveraging Existing Utility Installation and Regulation Practices
(44:49) - Believing in the Vision Despite Skepticism
(47:53) - The Huge Potential of Last Mile Logistics Innovation
(50:51) - Garrett's Journey to Find a Meaningful 10-Year Opportunity
(54:49) - Realizing Underground Infrastructure was More Feasible Than Expected
(57:22) - Taking the Unconventional Path Despite Discouragement
(01:00:00) - The Engineering Appeal and Potential Impact of Last Mile Logistics
(01:04:02) - Borrowing from Proven Utility Distribution Models like Water and Sewage
(01:07:07) - The Perfect Timing and Conditions for Logistics Disruption
(01:11:35) - Cities' Incentives to Support Underground Utility Infrastructure
(01:14:27) - Conclusion

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Links:
Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyleGarret McCurrach –  https://twitter.com/thegarrettscott Pipedream - https://www.pipedreamlabs.co/======

Production and marketing by The Deep View (https://thedeepview.co). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm

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Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9
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