Professor Shimin Liu of the Penn State University, America, and a member of the International Committee on Mine Safety Science and Engineering, was invited to the University of Science and Technology Beijing to promote academic exchange and co-operation between the two universities.

On June 13, 2025, Professor of the University of Penn State University, America, and a member of the International Committee on Mine Safety Science and Engineering, visited the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB) at the invitation of Professor Xueqiu He, Chair of the Committee and a professor at USTB. During his visit, Professor Liu delivered a lecture titled “Ultramafic Rock for Hydrogen Production and Its Potential in Energy Transition”. The event was chaired by Professor Zhenlei Li, a member of the International Committee on Mine Safety Science and Engineering at USTB, and was well attended by faculty and students from related disciplines who actively engaged in the academic exchange.

During the academic exchange, Professor Liu explored hydrogen generation through high-temperature serpentinization of olivine-rich mafic rocks and the concurrent creation of subsurface reservoirs for storage. Using a custom flow-through reactor, experiments confirmed temperature-dependent hydrogen yields. Rock characterization through adsorption analysis and microprobe techniques revealed favorable pore structures and mineralogy for sustained hydrogen production. Complementary CO₂-based fracturing methods are being explored to enhance permeability and reservoir formation. Together, these findings support a viable pathway for subsurface hydrogen generation and storage using naturally reactive mafic formations.

Professor Xueqiu He, Chair of the International Committee on Mine Safety Science and Engineering, summarized the key points of the lecture and extended a warm invitation for further cooperation. This initiative aims to further strengthen academic exchange and collaboration between faculty and students of USTB and Penn State University.

This academic exchange activity has strengthened the collaboration between Penn State University and the USTB. It also provided a valuable exchange opportunity for teachers and students of both universities. The teachers and students of the USTB extended a warm welcome and sincere appreciation to Professor Liu.