Ben Schafer
Co-Founder, Rarefied
Ben Schafer joins the Breakthrough Energy’s Fellows program from Rarefied in Somerville, MA. Ben’s PhD research established the foundational photophoretic levitation technology for Rarefied. With a robust background in physics and chemistry, coupled with a passion for hardware, Ben brings invaluable technical expertise and a strong commitment to making a positive impact on the planet.
Rarefied is developing a novel photophoretic propulsion mechanism capable of indefinitely levitating platforms in near-space (30-100 km altitudes) without power or moving parts. It is the only hardware capable of sustained flight in the mesosphere, a region inaccessible to conventional aircraft or satellites. This product offers a sustainable alternative to current space hardware and addresses critical needs in climate data collection, disaster preparedness, and telecommunications. Through the Fellows program, Rarefied hopes to advance their product development and commercialization pathway.
In his free time, Ben enjoys running, hiking, and fixing anything that is broken. He received his Doctor of Philosophy in applied physics from Harvard University and his Bachelor of Arts in Physics and Chemistry from Hamilton College. He has also worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory and National Institute of Standards and Technology on a variety of projects ranging from solar-band optimized waveguides to neutron polarization physics.
Q&A
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
The world is full of nay-sayers and pessimists. Persevere and be the one to show them what is possible.
What is your favorite word and why?
Reuse. Unfortunately, we live in a throw-away economy, but It’s amazing how much you can get out of “junk” with just a bit of resourcefulness and a screwdriver!
Share a fun fact about yourself
A log cabin in the woods with a couple dogs and a mountain nearby is my dream house.
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