espiku means “White Mountain”

Founded in 2020

espiku was born from a simple idea in a university lab: how can we extract water from any saline solution, regardless of its contaminants? Dr. Bahman Abbasi developed thermally-driven technologies at Oregon State University and founded espiku, a company dedicated to improving freshwater conservation in the extractive industry. We understand the critical value of water – vital for life, essential for industry.

We provide reliable solutions to minimize the environmental footprint of extractive industries, enabling the recovery of freshwater and minerals from waste streams while substantially reducing water consumption.

We envision extractive industries with minimal environmental and local community impacts, supporting a domestic supply of critical minerals and a net positive impact on precious water resources.

Our Team

Bahman Abbasi

FOUNDER & CEO
Bahman leads espiku’s technology and business advancement, engaging with partners to address specific challenges in the industry. As a mechanical and thermal systems engineer with multiple patents and dozens of peer reviewed articles, he develops technologies spanning low-grade heat recovery, transport phenomena, and application of machine learning in thermal-fluid processes. He has 10+ years of industry experience at GE and the DOE, and is currently an Associate Professor at Oregon State University.
Saskia van Meer

OPERATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS
Saskia leads espiku’s business ops and Marketing & Communications. She is skilled in creating and maintaining a memorable brand identity across platforms and engaging with stakeholders. Saskia’s concern for the social and environmental impacts of technological development drives us to meet energy, water, & mineral savings targets. She has a MS in Marine Resource Management and ran a science media company for 10 years.
Mathew Smith

SENIOR ENGINEER
Matt is the founder of multiple companies and continues to grow his record of success with multiple energy projects behind him. For over 15 years, he has been designing, building, and launching products into various industries, including internal combustion engines, natural gas compression technologies, thermochemical energy storage batteries. His specialty is scaling technologies to meet market opportunities.
Tyler Hudson

SENIOR ENGINEER
Tyler has a background in designing prototype solutions in the automotive, cleantech, and renewable industries is invaluable to espiku’s success in forging and maintaining partnerships with leading design and manufacturing firms, ensuring our technologies meet today’s highest standards. He received his MS in mechanical engineering from Oregon State University.
Jacob Shorb

RESEARCH ENGINEER
Jacob worked in espiku’s technologies in 2019 and officially joined the team in 2023. He focuses on designing, building and conducting experimental research in espiku’s lab and fabrication shop. Jacob is motivated to see these technologies through to market. He completed his BS in Energy Systems Engineering from Oregon State University, Cascades.
Jesse Rubenstein

ENGINEERING LAB TECHNICIAN
Jesse has experience with hands-on engineering and design. Working in various manufacturing disciplines, he now focuses on designing and building pilot technologies in the fabrication shop. Jesse strives to bring espiku’s designs to life. He earned his BS in mechanical engineering from The University of Portland.
Mahyar Abedi

THERMAL FLUIDS CONSULTANT
Mahyar's research focused on selective direct contact condensation, integrating desalination systems with renewable energy, and applying machine learning to optimize green water desalination technologies. He is currently a postdoctoral scholar at Oregon State University, contributing to research and development efforts to advance Espiku's innovative water treatment and sustainability technologies.