The Mining Engineering Department has some big goals for the next five to 10 years to continue 150 years of university-industry synergy.

Eight member companies have already signed on to support the joint USGS-Mines research, including major players in mining and energy industries and geologic hydrogen start-ups.

Edgar Mine is one of only five university-owned mines in U.S. — and the only one with a Wi-Fi-enabled underground classroom.

Department of Energy creates ambitious program to reduce carbon emissions by 50 to 52 percent by the end of the decade, secure a 100 percent clean electrical grid by 2035 and reach a net-zero carbon economy by 2050.

“All of this is about AI, but it’s also not about AI," faculty developer Carter Moulton said. "It’s about practices that support students and learning and build trust and clear expectations."

GelSana was founded in 2020 by Dr. Melissa Krebs, associate professor in chemical and biochemical engineering at Mines. GelSana’s first product is a novel polymer-based gel called Cleragel, designed to improve wound healing by reducing inflammation.

KFF Fellows each receive $12,000 in unrestricted funding to support their pursuit of careers in research.

Mines will serve on the governance board and contribute to research, innovation and workforce capacity development through the newly funded National Science Foundation initiative.

Braeton Smith MS ’14, PhD ’18 is an energy economist at Argonne National Laboratory and co-author of the U.S. Department of Energy’s new Critical Materials Assessment.

The Ice Diggers will be one of six teams facing off head-to-head this spring at a NASA-designed test facility to see which prototype lunar excavation rover performs best.