Services

Complex Systems Integration

Turning ambiguity into specifications

While some of our projects are constrained to a single component or subsystem, many of our customers need a company that take their rough concept all the way to a packaged and tested prototype. The starting concept may be a novel invention that has been tested only in isolation. To demonstrate the next level of technological readiness, Czero can design the balance-of-plant support hardware around it. We are comfortable with the ambiguity of roughly defined or absent specifications and help our customers define the project requirements in parallel with the design process. 

Analysis-led design

Using up-front modeling and simulation is core to our design process. A computer model of a process is infinitely cheaper than physical parts for iteration and design exploration. Whether it's steady-state calculations, transient fluid flow simulations, detailed computational fluid dynamics or finite element analysis, our analysis team and designers work closely together and with the customer to explore the design options, evaluate tradeoffs, and down-select among possible solutions. The detailed design phase is only started after a design has gone through this initial evaluation stage, and analysis continues to be closely integrated during the remainder of the detailed design. After a prototype is built, test data is used to validate and refine the models, so they are even more useful for the next design cycle.

Expecting the unexpected

Time and time again, we've experienced the inevitable hiccups that are a normal part of developing a new technology and know how to mitigate them. Our robust tools which rely heavily modeling helps head these off as much as possible. For example, our controls development uses model-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop models, so our controls engineers can test and refine their code while controlling a modeled version of the system, rather than risking damage to expensive hardware. When we're dealing with unfamiliar territory like ultra-high temperatures or corrosive environments, we use small-scale parts testing to verify performance first, rather than taking a supplier's word for it.

Close communications

Part of what makes our design process so effective is frequent and in-depth technical communication with our customers, so you are a collaborative part of the process, which ensures that the end result is as close to meeting the initial vision as possible. 

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Aker Solutions

"Czero is one of the best companies I have worked with for analysis and simulation; including dynamic modeling, CFD and FEA. Their deep expertise and comprehensive quality system ensure accurate results. Czero's project management is excellent, providing clean concise information on progress, schedule and budget. Czero is a go-to source for projects ranging from analysis and simulation to prototype product development and testing. They deliver strong solutions to the challenges faced by Offshore and Subsea markets."

- Horst Moll, Former First Chief Engineer, Aker Solutions
Nexceris

"Nexceris has been working with Czero since 2018 to develop and demonstrate a 50-kW scale hybrid power system for a government customer (ARPA-E). Czero led system design and controls development, and currently is leading system construction and testing work on the project. Czero engineers are extremely talented, innovative, detail oriented and responsive. I have thoroughly enjoyed our collaboration and provide my highest recommendation."


- Scott Swartz, Founder and CTO, Nexceris
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"PDC Machines- a compression and refueling technology provider to the world’s emerging hydrogen economy has been working with Czero for over 6 years on a combination of greenfield new technology and incremental technology improvements to our product. They have been able to take our napkin sketch frameworks and work with our team to deliver minimum viable product to complete solutions which are efficient, marketable and in many cases patentable. Their clear and simple approach to partnership- working as part of one team PDC staff is why I believe in the growing foundation we started 6 years ago."

- Kareem Afzal, Executive Chairman, PDC Machines
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"We chose Czero since they have a stellar reputation for innovation and expertise in the automotive industry. They also have a proven track record and prior history with the original inventor [of Onboard Dynamics natural gas refueling technology]—who is on our team—that has already resulted in huge successes in meeting critical milestones and performing to expectations."

- Rita Hansen, CEO Onboard Dynamics
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"I have a >$1M US Department of Energy research effort for which I was understaffed and lacking specific subject area expertise. Czero was able to engage last minute to displace a well-known automotive engineering company at a fraction of the price. Over a year into the project, Czero has continued to be responsive and trustworthy; their engineering performance has contributed significantly to an increase in project funding from the sponsor. As the project principal investigator, selecting Czero as an engineering services company has been one of the best decisions I have made."

- Chris Hagen, Assistant Professor, Energy Systems Engineering Oregon State University – Cascades
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"Czero’s work with us to fully understand the requirements of the end product for the new reactor engine system has been instrumental in developing a completely new, innovative system. From these requirements, they were able to quickly come up with multiple concepts for vetting against the tough project objectives, which include not only technical feasibility but also aggressive cost targets. The in-depth simulation and analysis of the various concepts that Czero did ahead of time has built tremendous confidence we are going down the right path."

- Devin Halliday, Principal Investigator, Gas Technology Institute
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"Czero’s ability to work with our engineers in developing innovative, ground-breaking technology has been a great benefit to the SuperTurbo development. We have placed a lot of trust in Czero’s ability to deliver and have not been disappointed. They are a top-shelf organization."

- Tom Waldron, Executive VP, SuperTurbo Technologies
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“My initial request to Czero was to develop software and the associated controller needed for a very important competitive assessment of our product. Due to the nature of the project, I needed the work to be accomplished and in my customers hands within 2 months, which was a very aggressive necessary timeline for this level of work. Not only did Czero get the software and ECU requirements done to spec, but the system was delivered to my customer ahead of time to support the testing. The expertise, timeliness, and quality of the Czero solution was outstanding!”

- Bradlee J. Stroia Ph.D., Stanadyne Operating Company LLC
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"We’ve had an absolutely fantastic, positive experience with Czero and I wholeheartedly endorse them. They are more than a typical ‘throw it over the fence’ engineering consulting firm, as Czero not only develops a strong understanding on the background of the project, but they also think along the way and offer suggestions and ideas beyond the scope of the simple engineering contract deliverables. And, they deliver, too. They are really solid, outstanding people."

- Steve Kloos, Former CEO AquaHydrex
Bluesource

"The engineers on the Czero team were proactive problem-solvers from our first introduction. They quickly applied the full breadth and depth of their engineering team’s impressive intellect to determine the most efficient and cost effective system to maximize the energy-harvesting capabilities of Brown’s concept.

They were remarkably objective in their trade studies to find the best solution, favoring a simpler mechanical solution over their greatest strength: advanced hydraulics. They walked us through potential failure modes of each system, and educated the team about the pitfalls of component scalability. In addition to their technical solutions, Czero did an excellent job conveying their thought process and analysis to the Brown team with clear graphs, diagrams and presentations, which streamlined decision-making.

Czero added tremendous value to the Brown project and was a pleasure to work with. We look forward to putting our heads together on future projects."

- Tom Derecktor, CEO
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"Czero has been an invaluable and integral part of our program. From component and subsystem design to detailed system performance analysis, Czero’s integrated engineering approach has allowed us to develop elements quickly to meet the very ambitious schedule challenges imposed by our U.S Department of Defense contract."

- Scott Frazier, Co-founder and CEO
Factor e

"Czero has been a valuable strategic partner in helping FACTOR[e] startups advance technologies quickly while staying lean during their crucial first two years. We know Czero’s agility, creativity and process. We trust their team. We’ve seen their technology insights and the business value of what they deliver."

- Morgan DeFoort, CEO
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"As we move from R&D to commercialization, Czero is providing top-notch engineering support to our team, transforming our ideas and concepts from prototype designs to viable commercial products. Czero really digs into the requirements before starting the design process, enabling us to easily collaborate on design options that optimize our product designs to meet market demand and ensure customer satisfaction. Without hesitation, we recommend Czero to anyone wanting to accelerate R&D and product development."

- Steve Witt, CEO, OptiEnz Sensors
Helix Energy Solutions Group logo

"Czero understood our test objectives very quickly and communicated systematically to define the test procedure, scale model details, and test fixture that fulfilled all test requirements quickly and safely. They creatively utilized off-the-shelf items in the scale model to keep its cost low and provided a clear, concise report—including useful insight—within a week of test completion. Helix is very pleased with the service provided by Czero."

- Roy Cottrell, Engineering Manager, Helix ESG
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"With extensive experience in engine systems design, Czero played a vital
role in helping Logimesh expedite concept-to-prototype development and
testing of our award-winning Logimote engine health monitoring platform."

- Bill Gillette, President & CEO, Logimesh Technologies, LLC
Kmalt logo black

"Czero was the right partner to help us design our custom grist bin and bag intake station. They found the perfect balance between a properly engineered solution, a cost effective solution, and an aesthetic solution."

- Bryan Hermann, Technical Director, K-MALT
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"The true sign of individual or organizational dynamism is the willingness to take risks. It signals real confidence in capabilities and know-how, the flexibility and creativity to explore and test new solutions, and guts to do what it takes to deliver under real economic and technical uncertainty. Czero epitomizes those characteristics and combines them with old-fashioned integrity and reliability. Needless to say, their engineering and technical capabilities are superb. As a young company commercializing real black-box technology, we've entrusted Czero with taking responsibility for critical design and engineering tasks for which there are no precedents, i.e. it has never been done before. They have delivered, under demanding time and resource constraints, and set a very high bar. Culturally and otherwise, they are an ideal partner for young startups who need deep-dive, blank-slate engineering solutions. I would recommend them to anyone."

- Richard Kinsman, former President & CEO, CO2 Nexus Inc. (now Tersus Solutions)
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"Czero was an insightful and very technically proficient group that were instrumental in helping us develop our technology. They were very quick studies to understand the fundamental challenges we faced and design/build solutions around them. Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Good Value.

- Doug Henston, Former CEO, Solix Biofuels

"Czero understands technology development from the back-of-the-napkin stage to the product launch stage. I've never met a team who is more capable of keeping the end-product vision in mind during the early stages of engineering."

- Sam Jaffe, CEO, Panea Energy

"Czero provided a custom engineering solution to our need to convey conceptual functionality. Their approach was creative, effective, high quality and fast. Highly endorsed."

- Rick Dunagan, Partner, Symbiotic Solutions

"To work with Czero is nothing short of a privilege. Stemming from their excellent credentials and strong analytical aptitude, they consistently translate complex technical situations into plain English to allow multidisciplinary group to function together seamlessly."

- Nick Rancis, Co-Founder and Principal, Tierra Verde Consulting LLC

"I was extremely impressed with how quickly Czero understood the needs and intent of the bearing housing design and how responsive they were in completing the drawing package."

- Scott Taylor, VP of Engineering, TMA Global Wind Energy Systems

Reach out to us, schedule a meeting, and let's find your custom solution.

We offer concept-to-prototype mechanical engineering R&D for developing systems and subsystems for cleantech innovations. Learn how we can help your team.