Researchers study forever chemical removal at Peterson Space Force Base

Mines PFAS researchers are investigating how to capture and destroy PFAS "forever chemicals" on the Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs. The material being analyzed and processed is drawn from a containment pond on the base property. A host of different technologies are being used by the researchers to deal with the stubborn PFAS materials.
July 10, 2025

Q+A: Dr. Richard Luarkie on moving Native nations from sovereignty to significance

Richard Luarkie, director of the Native American Mining and Energy Sovereignty program at the Payne Institute for Public Policy, envisions a future where tribes and the U.S. government can work together toward a positive energy future for tribes and the country generally.
July 10, 2025

Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs hosts a proving ground for cleaning up longtime PFAS contamination

Chris Higgins, AMAX Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and a host of other Mines PFAS experts, hosted a PFAS media event at the Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs. The Mines officials explained the work being done at the base to discover the best way to capture and destroy the "forever chemicals."
July 10, 2025

Trump floats a 50% tariff on copper, risking price increases for wide range of goods

Ian Lange, professor of economics and business, notes that because copper is used in such a wide variety of products, increases in the price of the metal can cause a general inflation in prices.
July 9, 2025

Summer research aims to mitigate PFAS contamination in southern colorado

Mines researchers are comparing the performance of a variety of PFAS technologies that are aimed at recovering and destroying the "forever chemicals." A demonstration day at Peterson Space Force Base allowed the news media a chance to learn about the work.
July 9, 2025

Students at Colorado School of Mines develop new application to help visually impaired

Hapware, an application developed by Mines students and alums, is designed to allow persons who are visually impaired or neuro-diverse to be able to interpret facial expressions. Hapware utilizes a camera installed in glasses and a vibrating wristband.
July 7, 2025

China’s metals overcapacity squeezes western smelters into crisis

Morgan Bazilian, director of the Payne Institute for Public Policy, says the U.S. losing domestic smeltering would translate into the country losing the ability to produce critical minerals.
July 4, 2025

Scientists studying suspected Lake Superior meteotsunami that left residents 'in awe'

Eric Anderson, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, said a significant change in air pressure combined with high wind speeds can lead to a meteotsunami wave. While traditional tsunamis are caused by seafloor movement like earthquakes, meteotsunamis are caused by fast-moving weather conditions like thunderstorms.
June 26, 2025

Colorado School of Mines student apprentices to build new dorms

Colorado Governor Jared Polis visits the Mines campus to discuss a new program where new dorms are being built with the help of student apprentices. It's part of a state program that connects students with hands-on training.
June 26, 2025

School of Mines Professor Thomas Albrecht discusses Iran's nuclear program

In the wake of the U.S. attack on nuclear sites in Iran, Thomas Albrecht, professor of chemistry, discusses that country's efforts to refine uranium. Albrecht says there's no non-military rationale for the Iranians to refine the mineral to 60 percent.
June 24, 2025

Despite Iran conflict, oil companies are unlikely to heed the president's call to "drill, baby, drill"

Morgan Bazilian, director of the Payne Institute for Public Policy, says that despite a volatile situation in the Middle East, drilling levels aren't likely to change because there hasn't been a significant change in the oil supply and demand equation.
June 23, 2025

Modified bacteria convert plastic waste into pain reliever

Dylan Domaille, an associate professor in the chemistry, said demonstrating that bacteria can turn plastic waste into something useful could motivate efforts to make breaking down plastics more scalable and sustainable.
June 23, 2025