Rod Eggert, research professor of economics and business, explains that China's attempt to clean up the mining and processing of rare earths ironically resulted in a black market for less expensive rare earths that were smuggled out of the country. These smuggled rare earths were obtained and processed with little regard for the environment.

Mines doctoral student Connor Denney and recent Mines graduate Logan Pauli are among the founders of a new firm focused on making quantum amplifiers. The company will soon move to Quantum Commons, a 70-acre business park in Arvada managed by the consortium Elevate Quantum.

Morgan Bazilian, director of the Payne Institute for Public Policy, says the U.S. government's decision to invest in creating a domestic supply chain for rare earth minerals is a game changer.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.