Latest news with #SchoolofMines
NDTV
20-05-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Why Qutub Minar's 1,600-Year-Old Iron Pillar Is Still Rust-Free? Scientists Explain
An iron pillar placed in the UNESCO-listed Qutub Minar complex in New Delhi has long fascinated scientists for surviving over 1,600 years without rust. Standing tall at 7.2 metres and weighing six tonnes, the iron pillar predates the complex it resides. Despite its long history, the iron pillar with inscriptions dedicated to Chandragupta Vikramaditya of the Gupta Empire, as per the Archaeological Survey of India, has remained in pristine condition. Usually, iron and iron alloy structures exposed to moisture oxidise over time, leading to a coating of rust, unless they are protected by layers of special paint. So why does the iron pillar not rust? Scientists in India and abroad started investigating the mystery in 1912. Murray Thompson from Roorkee Engineering College and Percy from the School of Mines conducted chemical analysis of the structure and established that it was wrought iron of specific gravity 7.66. However, it wasn't until 2003 that a study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Kanpur figured out the real engineering secret behind the structure. The study findings revealed that the pillar is primarily made of wrought iron, having a high phosphorus content (approximately one per cent). Additionally, a thin layer of "misawite", a compound of iron, oxygen and hydrogen, was also found on the pillar's surface. "In summary, the microstructural and compositional inhomogeneities of the Delhi pillar iron do not have any influence on the protective passive film that forms on the surface. The deciding factor this is imparting the excellent corrosion resistance is the high phosphorus content of the Delhi pillar iron," the study highlighted. The Iron Pillar in Qutub Minar Complex, Delhi has stood the test of time without rusting for over 1600 years. It is an incredible example of ancient India's advanced metallurgy techniques which is still wondered worldwide. (1/3) — Archaeological Survey of India (@ASIGoI) September 14, 2024 Unlike modern irons, the structure lacks sulfur and magnesium, with ancient craftsmen using a technique called 'forge-welding" to construct the iron pillar. In this technique, the iron is heated and hammered, which keeps the high phosphorus content intact -- a method relatively unseen in modern practices. Archeo-metallurgist R Balasubramaniam, who authored the report, added that this unconventional approach contributed to the pillar's strength which has endured for centuries.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Judge grants Mines student injunction against DHS
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – A district judge granted a preliminary injunction for a graduate School of Mines student's immigration records and visa after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attempted to terminate her status before graduation. On May 13, the western district court of South Dakota held an evidentiary hearing on the motion for a preliminary injunction. The court granted the motion on May 15, according to court documents. COURT DOCS: 8 arrested in Madison ICE raid Court documents said Priya Saxena can stay in the U.S. under her current F-1 student visa, which is set to expire in 2027, and DHS cannot take immigration enforcement action to terminate her SEVIS records or revoke her student visa retroactive to April 4. Further, DHS cannot transfer Saxena out of the jurisdiction of the District of South Dakota. If DHS found a lawful reason to terminate Saxena's immigration records or visa, then DHS must provide notice to her and the court 15 days prior to termination. Originally from India, Saxena lawfully obtained a student visa in January 2020 to enroll at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, court documents said, and she graduated with a doctoral degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering on May 10, 2025. But the path to her degree wasn't easy after a possible deportation in April. On April 4, 2025, DHS terminated Saxena's SEVIS record and revoked her student visa, due to a 'criminal records check,' according to court documents. In 2021, Saxena faced a DUI charge, according to court documents, but a court dismissed the charge after Saxena plead guilty and paid a fine. Court documents said her visa was renewed in 2022 after a hearing. According to court documents, DHS failed to inform Saxena about the update to her immigration status, as her designated school official (DSO) informed her on April 7. On April 16, the School of Mines told Saxena that she couldn't graduate in May without lawful immigration status. More importantly, the record and visa termination threatened Saxena's ability to apply for optional practical training (OPT), a resource that would further her academic opportunities and future career, court documents said. The next day, Saxena filed a lawsuit against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Court documents said Saxena's lawsuit raised two claims: Unlawful termination of her SEVIS record, violating the Administration Procedure Act (APA); Violation of her rights to due process, violating the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, Saxena moved for a temporary restraining order (TRO), as well as a preliminary and permanent injunction. Local News Rapid City teen assaults train operator On April 18, the court granted a TRO, requiring Noem and Lyons to reinstate Saxena's immigration records and status retroactive to April 4, and take no further action to terminate such. The TRO expires on May 16, according to court documents. Afterwards, Saxena's immigration records and visa were reinstated, and she was able to complete her program and graduate on May 10. On May 15, the court granted Saxena' preliminary injunction. A preliminary injunction is a court order requiring the preservation of the status quo until the courts decides on the final merits of the case, court documents said. The court must consider the following factors to grant a preliminary injunction, as defined by court documents: The threat of irreparable harm on the plaintiff The state of balance between this harm and the injury that granting an injunction will inflict on defendants The probability that the plaintiff will succeed on the merits Public interest According to court documents, the court granted a preliminary injunction on the following merits: Threat of irreparable harm: the court agreed with Saxena's claims of harm, if her status were terminated again, on the basis of loss in academic progress, such as the previous threat to a timely graduation and potential inability to apply for OPT to further her career. Balance of hardships and public interest: The court found that the defendants showed no evidence that they'd receive harm if a preliminary injunction were to be placed, while Saxena proved there would be harm to her if it weren't in place. Further, the court found that the defendants' enforcement of immigration law was unlawful and likely to cause Saxena irreparable harm, which gives Saxena more favor of public interest. Likelihood of success on the merits: the court found four reasons for this merit: mootness, finality of agency actions, the court's jurisdiction, and the APA claim. First, although Saxena's SEVIS record was reinstated, her claims are not moot because the defendants failed to show that re-termination of her record is not reasonably expected to reoccur. Second, the court agreed that the termination of a F-1 student visa as a final agency action. Third, the court can rule on the matter of Saxena's immigration record and visa because she's not challenging a decision to go forward with removal proceedings. And finally, the court agreed that Saxena can succeed on her APA claim because she hasn't committed violations for lawful termination of her visa. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
South Pole physics lesson in the Black Hills area
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KELO) — High school students in the Black Hills interested in physics got to participate in a hands-on study of data from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in the South Pole. This Icecube Masterclass allows high school students to get a look at how professionals study physics. 'We gave them a lecture and now they have hands-on experience basically reproducing one of our recent applications to find the first evidence of an astrophysical neutrino flex. And they're doing every step that has to be done by the physics, they are doing that right now in the classroom,' assistant physics professor Matthias Plum said. Mom of kids with autism responds to RFK Jr.'s statements Students were also able to listen to different speakers, like research scientist Larissa Paul who just returned from the South Pole observing the School of Mines detector involved in this masterclass. 'Having us go through all the data they've collected over the past few years and looking through and having us find irregularities, ' Stevens High School junior Wyatt Brumbaugh said. 'Picking out which data points and things like that are corresponding to the neutrinos or corresponding to cosmic rays things like that. And just the differences of how that all can be replicated.' 'So it is the study of finding the highest electron neutrinos, which are one of the most elusive particles in the known universe,' ,' Plum said. 'And they will help us try to figure out where does the highest energy detect radiation of the universe comes from, that's what we're trying to do.' Plum is hoping that events like these can help inspire high school students to join the physics field. 'I have an interest in physics, hopefully doing a double major with nursing and physics. So this was kind of like an intro to see what a high school versus college physics course was going to look like for me and I thought that this would be a great comparison,' Brumbaugh said Through these events students are able to gain insight into how scientists use massive observatories to decode the universe. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Students face off in cardboard boat races in Colorado School of Mines 91st Engineering Days
On Saturday morning, students at Colorado's School of Mines tested their engineering skills in the annual Cardboard Boat Races. The School of Mines in Golden is in the middle of its 91st Engineering Days , featuring three days of events like the Ore Cart Pull, concerts and a car show. But the crown jewel of "E-days" is the Cardboard Boat Races. Mines students must construct boats entirely out of cardboard and then race them down Clear Creek. Duct tape is allowed, but only as an adhesive and not for waterproofing. "E-Days – short for Engineering Days – is one of the most anticipated events of the academic year at Mines, with students taking a break from their studies to celebrate what it means to be an engineer," said school officials. The fun started with Prom Dress Rugby on Wednesday. The festival ends with the E-Days Carnival Saturday afternoon, followed by a fireworks show at 9:05 p.m. Mines said, "Designed in part by Mines alumni, the fireworks show has been said to be one of the most 'epic' displays of its kind." The public is invited to watch the all-aerial firework display from the Mines campus at the North IM Field on Elm Street.
