Articles tagged with Geological Engineering
Brazil needs to build separation and refining facilities, master permanent magnet production, and address environmental risks. The country's capacity to meet global demand for rare-earth magnets is currently only around 6%.
A new Northwestern University study finds that most proposed US lithium mines could face significant water shortages, posing challenges to the country's growing industry. Climate change and competition for resources exacerbate existing water stress in areas like southern California and Nevada.
A new model combines text mining and machine learning to extract service-specific aspects and customer actions from online reviews. The model effectively identifies core technical issues and user love for a platform, enabling targeted decisions for improvement. Researchers validated the model using 231,705 online reviews of Roblox.
A new report by the UN University finds that critical minerals extraction is causing severe environmental and health crises in vulnerable communities, while benefits accumulate mainly in wealthy nations. The investigation highlights intense water requirements, contaminated water, lost livelihoods and serious health consequences.
The University of Michigan study reveals that Napata, an ancient city in Sudan, benefited from the Nile's relatively stable flow and deposits of clay and silt. This landscape feature reduced flood risk while maintaining access to water, allowing for successful settlement and cultural development.
New research suggests that geoengineering can increase land carbon storage in the Amazon, potentially protecting it from climate change. The study finds that stratospheric aerosol injection reduces warming and increases vegetation productivity, resulting in a 10.8% increase in land carbon storage.
A study published in Geology found that up to 75.7% of landslides occur during low or no rainfall periods, with early-stage rainfall reaching the sliding surface through three runoff supply modes and two migration stages. The team recommends mass monitoring, public education, and engineering mitigation measures to prevent such disasters.
The LRE-UDAF framework tackles challenges in MS signal identification by integrating a lightweight feature extractor and a novel unsupervised domain adaptation module. It achieves high accuracy and robustness, outperforming mainstream models in resource-constrained environments.
A study by Washington University in St. Louis researchers found that diamond dust is not suitable for strategic stratospheric aerosol injection due to its effects on acid rain, ozone layer degradation and human health. The study's results reduce the viability of using a 'diamond shield' to cool the planet.
The Curtin Frontier Institute for Geoscience Solutions (CFIGS) aims to transform WA's economic future in critical minerals through sustainable exploration. The institute offers tailored services, practical insights, and advanced analytical expertise to support efficient and sustainable resource development.
Researchers found that tilling and compaction disrupt intricate capillary networks within the soil, causing it to pool rainwater and form a muddy crust. The study provides a clear explanation for why tillage changes the structure of soil in ways that affect water retention.
Researchers found that the river recovered its natural shape within four years after mining stopped, but the local economy did not bounce back. The study recommends a fairer, more sustainable model for river sediment extraction to minimize environmental and human impacts.
Researchers found that removing typhoon-induced precipitation leads to sharply declining soil moisture and more severe drought conditions worldwide. The effect of typhoons varies by region, acting as a condition that exacerbates drought in some areas, while mitigating it in others.
Researchers found that enhanced rock weathering can remove significant amounts of carbon from the atmosphere, with potential co-benefits for farmers. The method could remove up to 0.7-1.1 gigatons of carbon by 2100, depending on adoption rates.
Researchers developed a highly accurate computer model to simulate the entire tunnel excavation process, comparing ground anchors and pre-support pipes. The study found that a combined lining and anchor system is sufficient to control rock stress and deformation in deep mountain tunnels.
Engineered biochar shows promise in boosting crop yields, suppressing soil-borne diseases, and remediating contaminated land. Purpose-specific design is essential for optimal performance.
Sánz-Sesma's work on seismic wave propagation has made a significant impact on seismic hazard assessment and earthquake engineering. His research integrates theoretical rigor, numerical modeling, and empirical observation to advance our understanding of seismic wave phenomena.
Research by Dr. Dorothy Vesper and her team found that abandoned coal mines can transport CO2 from bedrock to the atmosphere through unremediated discharge. The mine waters, loaded with sulfuric acid, break down carbonate rocks releasing ancient CO2 that then converts to CO2 or other forms of carbon in the water.
The University of Houston's $1 million program, funded by the National Science Foundation, aims to address the critical workforce gap in the US mineral industry. The initiative will sponsor high school and community college students for a four-week training camp and immersive field-based learning experiences.
A new study found that land and ocean weathering processes are linked, influencing the amount of carbon stored or released into the atmosphere. The research proposes a continuum approach to studying weathering reactions on both land and in the ocean.
The Center for Land Surface Hazards will develop new scientific frameworks and modeling tools to forecast and mitigate cascading hazards. CLaSH also aims to broaden and grow a workforce of experts in land surface hazards and foster community engagement.
Researchers have confirmed the existence of hidden motions in granular materials like soil and snow, which can control their movement. This discovery could help understand how landslides and avalanches work, as well as benefit industries such as construction and grain filling.
The book provides a roadmap for sustainable and ethical leadership in engineering management, focusing on ESG reporting, CSR integration, and industry-specific insights. It offers practical tools and strategies for professionals to make informed decisions that reduce ecological impact and improve resource efficiency.
Quaise Energy has successfully demonstrated its novel drilling technique on a full-scale oil rig, aiming to prove that clean, renewable geothermal energy can power the world. The company's three-tier approach involves replacing conventional drill bits with millimeter-wave energy to create deeper holes and access supercritical water.
Scientists develop sustainable alternative to cement, using recycled glass and construction waste to create durable and green construction material. The breakthrough innovation offers practical applications in urban infrastructure development and disaster-prone regions.
Scientists from the University of Göttingen have made a groundbreaking discovery, finding ruthenium in volcanic rocks on the islands of Hawaii. The finding suggests that material from the Earth's core is leaking into the mantle above, challenging previous assumptions about the planet's internal dynamics.
Researchers at Quaise Energy have published new designs for superhot geothermal plants, which could increase the size of the prize by an order of magnitude. The designs apply conventional principles to higher-temperature ranges, informing a roadmap toward a superhot future.
Researchers have found that similar patterns of cracks on planets Earth, Mars and Europa may indicate past water presence and potential life. The study uses a mathematical framework to analyze two-dimensional fracture networks across the solar system.
A novel carbon-neutral grout, CSRGF, has been developed by recycling waste fluids from geothermal energy harvesting plants, addressing environmental challenges in traditional grouting methods. The new material shows remarkable performance, with a 50% increase in liquefaction resistance and superior water-sealing properties.
Researchers have discovered persistent and large magma bodies beneath dormant volcanoes in the Cascade Range, surprising scientists. The team used seismic waves to identify these magma chambers, which exist beneath volcanoes over their entire lifetime, not just during active eruptions.
Researchers are using cutting-edge technologies like AI, machine learning, and geophysical techniques to improve mine planning, predict slope behavior, and prioritize worker safety. The goal is to fundamentally change how mines are planned and operated, making them more sustainable and productive.
The integration of ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems with energy piles offers a promising solution to address the growing urban heat island effect and reduce electricity consumption in smart cities. This technology provides efficient heating and cooling, reduces carbon emissions, and promotes sustainable urban development.
A machine learning model predicts soil behavior during earthquakes, identifying areas vulnerable to liquefaction and providing contour maps for safer construction sites. The study uses geological data to create detailed 3D maps of soil layers, improving prediction accuracy by 20%.
A new standard in lithium processing has been set with the innovative EDTA-aided loose nanofiltration (EALNF) technology, which extracts both lithium and magnesium simultaneously. The method achieves 90% lithium recovery and turns leftover magnesium into a valuable product, reducing waste and its environmental impact.
A University of Maryland-led study found that burying wood in the right environmental conditions can stop its decomposition and help curb carbon dioxide emissions. The researchers analyzed a 3,775-year-old log and surrounding soil, revealing that it had lost less than 5% carbon dioxide thanks to the low-permeability clay soil.
Researchers have created a cost-effective and efficient method to test seabed soil when designing offshore wind farms. The new device, based on a modified speargun, can penetrate sandy seabeds more effectively than existing probes, offering significant time and cost savings.
Researchers developed a novel method to visualize sedimentation in soft-ground drilling, enabling accurate predictions of settling times. The Moving Particle Semi-Implicit (MPS) method models the drilling slurry and sand particles, reproducing three-dimensionally the settling process with high accuracy.
Researchers developed a predictive model that maps soil-bearing layer distribution, enabling city planners to assess site suitability and optimize building design. The model improves prediction accuracy by combining geotechnical data and geographic coordinates.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to analyze the behavior of granular materials, revealing their internal forces and shapes in 3D detail. This breakthrough may lead to better understanding of landslides and industrial processes.
Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology develop new methodology to accurately simulate soil behavior in rigid state, leveraging MSP method and Bingham fluid biviscosity model. The study highlights the impact of parameters on simulation accuracy and computational costs.
The University of Manchester has received a £4.2 million funding award to tackle the UK's most challenging resilience and security problems. The project, SALIENT, will drive interdisciplinary research on robust supply chains, global order, and technological security.
Researchers found that injecting aerosols into the stratosphere can reduce ice sheet loss by up to 37.6 mm sea-level rise, slowing global warming's effects. However, geoengineering addresses only symptoms, not root causes, and may delay necessary changes.
The new USGS National Seismic Hazard Model shows nearly 75% of the US is at risk for damaging earthquakes, with a color-coded map highlighting areas most prone to shaking. The model identifies over 500 additional faults that could produce damaging quakes, updating the landscape of earthquake research.
A recent study from Carnegie Mellon University estimates the time required to develop, approve, and implement a geologic sequestration site in the US, identifying six clearance points that must be passed for a site to become operational. The findings suggest that on average, there is a 90% probability that the time required for a site ...
The 2023 Geothermal Rising Conference highlights growing interest in superhot rock geothermal, with papers validating its viability for high power output and small spatial footprint. Researchers are developing new technologies to access these resources, including millimeter wave energy to drill deeper holes.
Researchers discover chemical injection strengthens sandy soil through increased cohesion and internal friction angle, with no long-term strength loss. The treatment also enhances water-sealing capacity, mitigating flood risks and improving infrastructure durability.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed an autonomous excavator called HEAP to construct a 6-meter-high and 65-meter-long dry-stone wall. The excavator uses sensors, machine vision, and algorithms to place stones in the desired location, achieving a high level of precision and speed.
Researchers from Zhejiang University developed a new method to simulate radionuclide transport in fractured granite, using hyper-gravity experiments and 3D-printed fracture networks. This breakthrough could improve deep geological disposal methods and mitigate the risk of nuclear waste leakage.
A researcher from Göttingen University advises on overcoming difficulties faced by mining communities in transition, suggesting a three-step approach centered around stakeholder collaboration. This approach combines early planning, local-based solutions, and targeted investments to foster economic and workforce transformation.
Soil liquefaction, a destructive phenomenon during earthquakes, is redefined by this groundbreaking study. Liquefaction can now be understood to occur in drained conditions with low seismic-energy density levels, triggered by seismic shaking facilitating interstitial fluid flow within the soil.
A new study investigates whether artificially dimming the sun could prevent the melting of West Antarctic ice sheets. The results show that artificial influence does not work without decarbonization and entails high risks, highlighting the importance of rapid climate mitigation measures.
A new study found that Sahara dust can enhance the removal of methane from the atmosphere through a photocatalytic reaction. The reaction involves the activation of mineral dust and sea spray aerosols in the presence of sunlight, producing chlorine atoms that oxidize atmospheric methane and tropospheric ozone.
A new study predicts Arctic sea ice will vanish by the 2030s if greenhouse gas emissions continue unchecked. The research, published in Nature Communications, analyzes 41 years of data and confirms human activities as the primary cause of Arctic sea ice decline.
Advances in drilling technology are unlocking geothermal energy's full potential, with supercritical water offering an efficient energy source. Improved drilling methods aim to overcome the financial barrier of deep geothermal exploration, enabling a step-change in power output.
A study analyzing over 800,000 tweets found that negative emotions expressed about geoengineering can easily fall into conspiracy theories. The researchers also discovered a strong link between geoengineering and the chemtrail conspiracy theory, with toxic tweets spilling over across regional boundaries.
A team of researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and other institutions has identified a flexible and user-friendly model for predicting flood frequency in a changing environment. The fractional polynomial-based regression method is more effective than existing models, which often fail to account for factors like climate ...
The study suggests that increased demand for energy transition metals could be more disruptive to some communities than winding back production of thermal coal. An additional 115.7 million people would be at risk from disruption by ETMs.
The study found that earthquake-accelerated landslides (EALs) can maintain accelerated motion for a long time after the earthquake, causing particularly serious human casualties in seismically active areas. Satellite radar observations detected and investigated EALs in Central Italy, leading to the first ever complete EAL inventory.
Researchers led by Cornell University are evaluating the potential of making the stratosphere 'brighter' to cool the Earth. They use geoengineering simulations to assess the impact of injecting sulfate aerosols, a known pollutant, on climate change mitigation strategies.
Associate Professor Angelina Anani has won a $300,000 career development grant from the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration to support her research on mine planning and operations. She plans to use virtual and augmented reality technologies to optimize industry decisions and minimize risks.