Colorado School of Mines, Idaho National Laboratory Announce Partnership

Colorado School of Mines is partnering with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to identify opportunities where the complementary skills of faculty and their national lab partners enable Mines and INL to address some of the biggest challenges facing society as it strives to reach net-zero goals.   

At a kickoff event conducted earlier this month, more than 40 scientists and engineers from INL spent two days with more than 80 Mines faculty members. The event provided opportunities for researchers and top scientists from both institutions to meet, network and explore common interests. Attendees identified opportunities for collaboration in a range of areas related to clean energy and a critical materials and minerals future for the U.S. and the world.

While Mines faculty and INL scientists met, Mines students were provided with opportunities to interact with INL recruiters and visiting scientists and engineers. This led to more than 90 students participating in a networking event where they could explore career opportunities with INL and other Department of Energy (DOE) national labs.

INL, located in Idaho Falls, Idaho, is a leader in advancing nuclear energy as a clean energy source and is extensively involved in DOE’s portfolio of work, including geosciences, power and energy systems, vehicle charging technologies and other areas of renewable energy and decarbonization.

Mines, located in Golden, Colorado, is an R1 research university, among the top 4 percent of research institutions nationwide. Renowned for its academic curriculum and research, Mines holds a unique position of leadership and transdisciplinary expertise across energy science and engineering.

“We are thrilled to be taking the relationship between Mines and Idaho National Laboratory to productive new heights that build on our research strengths and shared vision to create synergy in the national interest,” said Walter G. Copan, Mines vice president for research and technology transfer. 

During their visit, INL scientists and engineers and Mines faculty members worked on new concepts and innovations within geosciences, sustainable mining and processing of critical materials, geothermal energy, advanced materials and manufacturing, energy storage, nuclear sciences and basic energy sciences. 

“Building a strong, collaborative relationship with Colorado School of Mines highlights areas we have in common and increases productivity through the joint use of facilities and laboratories," said Todd Combs, INL’s deputy laboratory director for science and technology and chief research officer.

INL officials shared with students and faculty, information about their lab’s student internships, post-doctoral research positions, fellowships and joint-faculty opportunities. These opportunities enable students and faculty members to collaborate with experienced scientists and engineers to develop innovative solutions to challenging, real-world problems. 

“Getting the chance to speak with people already working in a laboratory was really helpful in gaining insight at the level of research they are conducting,” said Richard Faulkner, a first-year PhD student at Mines. “An event like this provides an opportunity for me to make connections I wouldn’t have otherwise made.” 

About Idaho National Laboratory

Battelle Energy Alliance manages INL for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy. INL is the nation's center for nuclear energy research and development, celebrating 75 years of scientific innovations in 2024. The laboratory performs research in each of DOE’s strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and the environment. For more information, visit www.inl.gov. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.