College of Mines and Earth Sciences

Make sure to check out and spread the word about our SCHOLARSHIPS for Mining Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering/ Materials Science & Engineering, Geology and Geophysics, and Atmospheric Sciences!

This Giving Tuesday, we're celebrating remarkable growth: 9% increase in student enrollment, a 55% expansion of undergraduate research with the Science Research Initiative and over $2 million in scholarships awarded to students. Our new Applied Science Building opens in 2025, creating cutting-edge opportunities for the next generation of STEM leaders.

Your support turns potential into progress. Donate today for Giving Tuesday and help us build the future of scientific discovery at the U. https://donate.utah.edu/schools/UniversityofUtah/support-the-college-of-science/pages/college-of-science

Donate today: https://earth.utah.edu/gift_matters.php

The Department of Geology & Geophysics is dedicated to understanding the Earth’s history, dynamics, processes, hazards, and resources. Our faculty and students are engaged in cutting-edge research in climate change, natural hazards, mineral exploration, water, and energy resources.

Your support is vital to our mission!

By investing in our programs, you’re helping students explore, learn, and discover new science at the U. Your generosity equips students with the tools they need to succeed, from state-of-the-art labs to hands-on learning experiences.

Every gift makes a difference!

Your gift will help us provide scholarships and research opportunities for students in Geology & Geophysics.

Michael Free and Prashant Sarswat Sarswat, metallurgical engineers from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Utah, have secured significant funding from DARPA and the Department of Energy (DOE), including a $5 million grant from the DOE, to advance rare earth element (REE) and critical metals (CM) processing technologies. Their research team, including graduate students Easton Sadler and Schroeder, is developing environmentally friendly extraction methods and advanced separation techniques to produce high-purity REE and CM products. “We’re starting with unconventional resources to build a larger supply chain here in the US,” says Free, with Sadler noting, “It’s really cool to be at the cutting edge of this industry.”

https://science.utah.edu/materials-sciences/critical-metals/

Photo Credit- Todd Anderson

Mining Engineering celebrates International Education Week with faculty and students from Mexico, India, Ghana, Cuba, Brazil, Angola, China, Romania and Mongolia!

With the passage of Utah’s Amendment B, the College of Mines and Earth Sciences at The University of Utah is set to receive increased funding from state trust lands. Trapa described the impact as a “game changer,” noting, “This allows more resources to come to our programs in mining, engineering, metallurgical engineering, and geological engineering.” The additional funds will support outreach, research, and workforce training, benefiting Utah’s extractive industries.

'It's a game changer,' says beneficiary of money Amendment B will bring It's all but certain Utah voters will pass Amendment B, and some of the beneficiaries are calling it a game changer for education.

Dr. Zhigang Zak Fang was featured in a Canary Media article, where he highlighted, “Titanium should be used a lot more in our daily lives and in the industry… but it’s only a tiny fraction compared to steel, and that’s because [titanium] is very expensive.” Dr. Fang and his research team developed an energy-efficient process for producing titanium, using hydrogen to significantly reduce the energy consumption and CO2 emissions in its production. Now under commercialization by IperionX, his method aims to enhance the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of titanium production, while expanding its industrial applications. University of Utah College of Science The University of Utah

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/clean-industry/in-a-first-a-solar-microgrid-will-directly-power-an-industrial-plant (https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/clean-industry/in-a-first-a-solar-microgrid-will-directly-power-an-industrial-plant)

The University of Utah College of Science has appointed Denee Hayes as its newest Senior Fellow. Hayes, a Mining Engineering alumna, will advise on energy and environmental issues, help form a new advisory board, and support workforce development programs. Her role includes bridging academia and industry, particularly in sustainable mining and green energy. Hayes stated, “The College has a unique opportunity to lead the way in reimagining the mining sector’s role in a sustainable future. I’m excited to work with Dean Trapa and the faculty to develop innovative solutions that balance our need for critical minerals with environmental stewardship.” Congrats Denee Hayes!

https://science.utah.edu/cos/leadership/denee-hayes/

Photo Credit- Todd Anderson

We are so excited to announce our upcoming Mining Rocks Open House! Please spread the word to any high school /transfer students you know and have them join us October 30th, 2024. Come to participate in mining demonstrations, meet our current faculty, get scholarship information, and learn about careers in mining engineering. RSVP by going to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSew74PRbHSy00mxvb5JnTzb4HtyT0aOXLay_ZZ4oec-rjWS3w/viewform⚒️

We are looking forward to our annual Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering Open House! 🔬

📅 Date: September 25th, 2024
🕒 Time: 6:00 PM
🏢 Location: Catmull Gallery at the U of U

Here’s what you can expect:
👩‍🔬 Lab Tours
👨‍🏫 Meet Professors
🎓 Chat with Current Students
💡 Learn about Scholarships ($1K-$10K)

This year we are hosting a High School Materials Competition, testing: plastics, ceramics, and metals. If you are interested in 3D printing, jewelry making, welding, or ceramics this is a great opportunity to test your materials. Visit the link below for more information. Material entries are due September 18th, 2024, and will be tested at our open house on September 25th, 2024 where awards will be given.

Don’t miss this opportunity to discover the world of materials. RSVP TODAY 🚀



https://mse.utah.edu/open-house/

New research involving University of Utah geology professor Keith Koper reveals that Earth’s inner core, previously rotating slightly faster than the planet’s surface, began to slow and align with Earth’s spin approximately 14 years ago. This study, based on seismographic data, offers new insights into the inner core’s behavior, emphasizing its complex motion and its influence on Earth’s magnetic field and rotational dynamics.

Go to the link in our story to read the full article

https://attheu.utah.edu/science-technology/as-the-ball-turns-earths-inner-core-is-backtracking/

A new species of horned, plant-eating dinosaur, Lokiceratops rangiformis, has been introduced at the Natural History Museum of Utah. “Previously, paleontologists thought a maximum of two species of horned dinosaurs could coexist at the same place and time. Incredibly, we have identified five living together at the same time,” said co-lead author Mark Loewen from the University of Utah. This dinosaur, found in Montana, is notable for its large, ornate frill and is among the most significant finds in horned dinosaur evolution.