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Swarm robots inspired by bees and ants could transform the future of mining

Researchers developed a robotic system inspired by social insects to optimize mining operations. The honeybee-inspired approach outperformed others in tests, reducing travel distance by up to 80% and completing ore delivery tasks 60% faster.

SourceAdelaide University·JournalNatural Sciences·TypeExperimental study
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

CDC awards $1.25M to engineers retooling mine production and safety

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.

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering

Fair and sustainable futures beyond mining

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.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature Energy·TypeObservational study

WVU engineers study how to pull carbon out of building air to make methanol

Researchers at West Virginia University have developed a technology that can capture carbon dioxide from the air of buildings and use it to produce methanol, a common chemical with numerous applications. The process is expected to increase the sustainable supply of methanol while removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

SourceWest Virginia University

The spillover effects of rising energy prices following 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

A new study from Kyushu University examines the spillover effects of rising energy prices following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The research finds that a 20% increase in energy prices has little impact on global prices and social surplus, with only a small effect on certain sectors.

SourceKyushu University·JournalEconomic Analysis and Policy·TypeData/statistical analysis
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Turning abandoned mines into batteries

Researchers developed a novel way to store energy by transporting sand into abandoned underground mines, creating a long-term energy storage solution. The technology generates electricity when the price is high and stores it when cheap, making it an effective and cost-efficient alternative to traditional batteries.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalEnergies

Methods for building lunar landing pads may involve microwaving moon soil

University of Central Florida researchers have discovered a method that uses microwaves to melt lunar soil, coupled with beneficiation technology, may be the best option for building safe and economical lunar landing pads. This approach could increase microwave absorption by up to 80% using magnetic fields, making it more energy-effici...

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNew Space·TypeExperimental study
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

New mining professor wins SME career boost grant

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.

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering

New research finds deep-sea mining noise pollution will stretch hundreds of miles

A new study found that noise from one mine alone could travel approximately 500 kilometers in gentle weather conditions, with cumulative impacts likely in areas with multiple mines. The deep sea is home to organisms found nowhere else on Earth, and mining activities could have untold impacts on these species.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling

New study shows increase in black lung disease in coal miners

A new study has found higher levels of silica dust in the lung tissue of contemporary coal miners compared to previous generations, providing a rationale for the Mine Safety and Health Administration to develop a more protective occupational standard for silica. The study suggests that changing mining practices, which generated more si...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·TypeSystematic review

Underground tests dig into how heat affects salt-bed repository behavior

Researchers examine how heat affects salt and brine in underground tests to refine computer models and inform policymakers about spent nuclear fuel disposal. The understanding gained will help assess the viability of salt beds as a safe storage option for radioactive waste.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories

Estimating the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining

Researchers estimated Bitcoin mining's electricity consumption and carbon emissions in 2018, finding a lower impact than previously thought. The study showed that the majority of environmental harm comes from the use of mining equipment, with location being a significant factor.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Nanotechnology designed to speed up the hardening of concrete

Researchers at Tecnalia and the ICMCB-CNRS have developed an ultrarapid synthesis method for nano-tobermorite, which speeds up concrete hardening. The technology enables mass production of high-quality tobermorite nanoparticles within minutes, not days.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalAngewandte Chemie

Can you hear me now? CSU research could help miners stay safe

A team led by CSU engineers aims to provide a low-cost, high-fidelity communications system for miners that eliminates the need for expensive equipment. The system will use standard smartphones and low-cost wireless sensing to improve miner safety in underground environments.

SourceColorado State University
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Saving lots of computing capacity with a new algorithm

Researchers at SnT develop an algorithm that reduces computing overhead in smart grid control by storing only changes in system state and automatically identifying suitable measurement values from the past. This enables micro mining, resulting in increased computing efficiency and a significant reduction in computing capacity.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg

Innovative handheld mineral analyzer -- 'the first of its kind'

A handheld mineral analyzer has been developed for mining applications, enabling rapid analysis of minerals in the field. The device combines X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques to identify and quantify minerals within 1-2 minutes.

SourceUniversity of Leicester

Interpretation time for screening digital mammograms: Is it efficient?

A recent study by the American College of Radiology found that digital mammograms require nearly twice as long to interpret as film-screen screening mammograms. The study identified factors contributing to the difference in time, including the interpreting radiologist's identity and age of available studies.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology

Earthquake testing lab for nation's lifelines

The Cornell laboratory will be a national center for calculating earthquake effects on structures, including soil deformation and seismic damage. The facility will use customized testing structures and actuators to apply displacements and loads, enabling researchers to study the behavior of structures during earthquakes.

SourceCornell University
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Breakthrough Software Tells Industry When To Replace Aging Equipment

A new software program, EXAKT, uses mathematical models to determine the optimal time to replace or repair equipment based on performance data and economic factors. This allows maintenance managers to combine risk assessment and economic considerations in making informed decisions.

SourceUniversity of Toronto