Nature Chemistry vs. Synthetic Science: Harnessing the Power of Both Worlds: Summary & Review of Article by Jiya lal verma

     This article explores the differences between nature chemistry and synthetic science and how they can be used to complement one another. The author notes that nature chemistry is “the study of chemical processes and compounds that occur naturally in the environment,” things like photosynthesis and human enzymic reactions in our bodies. As noted below, natural chemistry is often more complex than synthetic chemistry, at least it is now.

     Synthetic science involves human innovation and “designing and creating new materials, chemicals, and processes that do not exist in nature.” Below are some of its advantages.

     Nature chemistry is seen by many to be more environmentally benign than synthetic chemistry, but that is not always the case, and generalizations that something natural is better than something synthetic are often not true. This will become even more the case as synthetic science utilizes things like “green chemistry” and other sustainable approaches to materials and chemistry.

     The author points out that both natural and synthetic chemistry have enabled lifesaving and life-improving medicines. Synthetic-based medicine has resulted in better targeted therapies, vaccines, and personalized medicine. The complexity inherent in some natural processes has enabled many natural processes to be remarkably energy efficient, with that efficiency difficult or not yet possible to duplicate with synthetics. There is a fallacy among environmentalists and many people that natural is always better than synthetic, but this is simply not true.

     The author states that a collaboration of natural and synthetic methods can often provide the best results. Thus, finding synergies between the two methods is very important. The examples given include biomimicry, where natural designs are copied or imitated. There are many documented successes of biomimicry for solving problems. Another example is using natural medicinal products and subjecting them to synthetic alterations, which has resulted in more effective medicines. Green chemistry is mentioned again as an example:

“Techniques like biocatalysis and the use of renewable feedstocks are reducing the environmental impact of chemical production.”

     Natural and synthetic chemistry are often combined in advanced materials, including bio-plastics:

“…bio-based plastics combine the durability of synthetic polymers with the biodegradability of natural materials.”

     More examples of natural/synthetic collaboration include artificial photosynthesis, bio-inspired robotics, and CRISPR technology.

“CRISPR, a revolutionary gene-editing tool, combines natural bacterial defense mechanisms with synthetic biology. This technology has the potential to treat genetic disorders, improve crop yields, and even combat infectious diseases.”

     Challenges and future direction include ethical considerations. On this subject, I am firmly against applying the Precautionary Principle. While ethics must be considered, we also need to get things done and not ban processes that can be useful, even if they have some negative effects. Another hurdle that is noted is the difficulty of matching the complexity of natural chemistry. Here, the author notes that:

“Advances in computational modeling and machine learning may help bridge this gap {in replicating natural systems}.”

     The author calls for a balance of innovation and sustainability.

“Nature chemistry and synthetic science are not rivals; they are partners in innovation. By harnessing the wisdom of nature and the creativity of synthetic science, we can address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. From developing sustainable materials to curing diseases and combating climate change, the synergy between these fields holds the key to a brighter future.”

“As we continue to explore the best of both worlds, the possibilities are limitless. The collaboration between nature chemistry and synthetic science will shape the future of science, technology, and society, paving the way for a more sustainable and innovative world.”

References:

 

Nature Chemistry vs. Synthetic Science: Harnessing the Power of Both Worlds. Jiya lal verma. Super Chemistry Classes. Nature Chemistry vs. Synthetic Science: Harnessing the Power of Both Worlds - Super Chemistry Classes

Anti-Fossil Fuel Sabotage: ‘Far-Left Extremists’ Cut Power in Berlin

    Anti-fossil fuel sabotage is thankfully not common, but it does happen, and it can be quite disruptive and cause economic damage, hardship, and property damage. In the U.S., we have had oil pipelines and construction equipment sabotaged. A natural gas line was sabotaged in Colorado in the middle of winter a few years ago. Anti-fossil fuel sentiment and protest are common in Europe, where there are some extreme groups willing to cross the line into vandalism and sabotage.

    In Berlin, arsonists damaged high-voltage cables. The arson attack could leave up to 45,000 households without electricity until Thursday. That is a major multi-day outage in the middle of winter. The city had to set up makeshift Red Cross aid centers with beds where there was heat and power.

“German officials said that the Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group), which has also been linked to an earlier attack on a Tesla factory near the capital, was behind the power cut.”

“The group sent a letter to a newspaper taking responsibility for the attack, which targeted high-voltage cables near the Lichterfelde power station, south-west of the capital.”

“In the letter, the far-Left arsonists said they were protesting against the use of fossil fuels because of the dangers they pose to the environment, as well as concerns over artificial intelligence.”

     Iris Spranger, Berlin’s interior ⁠affairs minister, ‌said on X:

“I condemn this inhumane attack on Berliners and visitors to the ‍city in the strongest possible terms. The investigation is ongoing.”

A Berlin police spokesman said they considered the letter, which railed against Germany’s “greed for energy” and boasted of cutting the “juice” of the “ruling class” to be credible.

     Germany is already dealing with increased sabotage from Russia and pro-Russian agents and sympathizers, including a major arms factory fire in 2024. Migrants have also been setting cars on fire in what is becoming a regular New Year's Eve vandalism and arson. In France, nearly 1200 cars were set on fire. The bulk of those arrested are described as illegal immigrants. Brussels, Amsterdam, and Berlin saw similar NYE activity. Anti-fossil fuel sabotage by other far-left groups also occurs in Germany. In the letter about the recent attack, the perpetrators noted:

The group said it regretted any disruption that the attack might have caused to less-affluent Berliners but said it was pleased to have struck “the many owners of villas”.

It also claimed the arson was an “act of self-defence” against the fossil fuel industry, taken in solidarity with those who want to protect nature.

     These kinds of attacks cause real problems for people and should be taken very seriously.

  

 

References:

 

Berlin power switched off by 'extreme leftists'. James Rothwell. The Telegraph. January 4, 2026. Berlin power switched off by 'extreme leftists'

New Year’s Eve Chaos: France Reports 1,173 Cars Set Ablaze Amid Migrant Violence. Mackenzie Web. Patriot Fetch. January 2, 2026. New Year’s Eve Chaos: France Reports 1,173 Cars Set Ablaze Amid Migrant Violence

 

 

The Gila River Indian Community's Second Solar-Over-Canal Project is Complete: Offers Great Benefits

     The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District, in partnership with the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, announced the completion of the second of the first two solar-over-canal projects in the U.S. on December 11, 2025. There are two main reasons for the deployment: producing low-emissions energy and reducing evaporation losses in the canal, which are high in the desert heat. 

     The press release noted:

“It was scheduled to be the first in the Western Hemisphere, but our Phase 2 Casa Blanca Solar over Canal project actually was completed first.”

“The estimated cost of Phase I of the project is $6.7 million. It is expected to produce about 1,000 kilowatts of renewable energy to offset energy needs and costs for tribal farmers.”

     The canal is used for irrigation, so reducing water loss saves money for tribal farmers. The Gila River Indian Community runs one of the most comprehensive irrigation systems in Arizona.  Construction of Phase I of the project took 13 months. This project and another one about 25 miles away, both within the Gila River Indian Community tribal lands, are the first two solar-over-canal projects in the U.S. The area has also been under a record multi-year drought. 

     Below are some estimates for water savings from an article announcing breaking ground on the project in 2024.

“While current projections suggest a reduction in evaporation losses of about 50-60 percent (totaling about 7-acre feet on Casa Blanca Canal and about 5-acre feet on the one in Chandler) over the 25-year life expectancy of the projects, the amount of conserved water is potentially in the thousands of acre feet, DeJong said.”

     Solar canals have been popular in other hot and dry places where preserving water by protecting it from evaporation would help farmers, such as in India. In these areas, they can be considered to be methods of water conservation. These projects also represent meaningful collaborations between tribes and the US Army Corp. of Engineers.

     It was announced in June that the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) intends to deploy a similar technology, floating solar. They plan to float solar panels on a reservoir and power all their irrigation projects with distributed solar power. 

     GRIC completed its Casa Blanca Canal project in October, aided by a grant of over $5.6 million. The 1.3-MW solar project was built over a 3,000-ft stretch of the canal. The funding is from the Inflation Reduction Act, but future funding for subsequent phases of the project may have been or may be rescinded. 

     The projects can also be said to be mitigating drought.

“Workers have installed 2,556 solar panels across 2,782 feet of the Casa Blanca Canal, cutting water evaporation by nearly 50%.”

“The flowing water beneath the panels also increases efficiency through a natural cooling effect.”

“GRIC Governor Stephen Roe Lewis reportedly said in a written statement, “The Gila River Indian Community is proud to be at the forefront of this groundbreaking solar-over-canal project, which not only generates renewable energy but also conserves our most precious resource — water.”     

     Floating solar has also been “floated” as an idea for preserving the Colorado River and the lakes that feed it. It is estimated that 13 GW of floating solar energy is deployed globally, most of it in Asia. Floating solar costs are approximately 20% higher than land deployments, mainly due to the added cost of anchors, buoys, and/or pontoons.

References:

 

District celebrates completion of solar-over-canal project at Gila River Indian Community. Robert DeDeaux. U.S. Army. December 22, 2025. District celebrates completion of solar-over-canal project at Gila River Indian Community | Article | The United States Army

District celebrates completion of solar-over-canal project at Gila River Indian Community. LA District Public Affairs. U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers. December 22, 2025. District celebrates completion of solar-over-canal project at Gila River Indian Community > Los Angeles District > Los Angeles District News Stories

Arizona installer helps build the first canal solar project in the US. Billy Ludt. Solar Power World. July 22, 2025. Arizona installer helps build the first canal solar project in the US

The Gila River Indian Community backed by a $5.6 million Biden administration grant, activated nation’s first solar-over-canal project. Katarzyna Michalik. Northeast Valley News. October 30, 2024. The Gila River Indian Community backed by a $5.6 million Biden administration grant, activated nation’s first solar-over-canal project - Northeast Valley News

This Arizona tribe’s plan to build floating solar could one day help save the Colorado River. Jake Bolster. Inside Climate News. Fast Company. June 4, 2025. This Arizona tribe’s plan to build floating solar could one day help save the Colorado River - Fast Company

USACE joins Gila River Indian Community to break ground on solar-over-canal project. Stephen Baack and Robert DeDeaux. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. November 14, 2024. DVIDS - News - USACE joins Gila River Indian Community to break ground on solar-over-canal project

Niobium-rich Carbonatites in Central Australia Originated from Mantle in Rifting Preceding the Breakup of Supercontinent Rodinia: Dated to 800 Million Years Ago

      Niobium is a metal used in high-strength steel, clean energy technology, and as a superconducting material, including in the superconducting magnets of MRI scanners.

     Brazil dominates niobium production, followed distantly by Canada. Australia is a further distant third, but that could change. Newly discovered niobium-rich carbonatites have been discovered in Central Australia as part of the rift zone that eventually broke up the former supercontinent Rodina. A new study by researchers at Curtin University dated the deposit to 800 million years ago and found its origin to be the Earth’s mantle after a rift zone opened up. The paper, Multi-method geochronology and isotope geochemistry of carbonatites in the Aileron Province, central Australia was published in Geological Magazine. Dr. Maximilian Dröllner, one of the paper’s authors, noted:

"These carbonatites are unlike anything previously known in the region and contain important concentrations of niobium, a strategic metal used to make lighter, stronger steel for aircraft, pipelines, and EVs, and a key component in some next-generation battery and superconducting technologies.”

"Using multiple isotope-dating techniques on drill core samples, we found that these carbonatites were emplaced between 830 and 820 million years ago, during a period of continental rifting that preceded the breakup of Rodinia. This tectonic setting allowed carbonatite magma to rise through fault zones that had remained open and active for hundreds of millions of years, delivering metal-rich melts from deep in the mantle up into the crust.”

     The locations of the sampled areas and a regional magnetic intensity map are shown below.

     Dating carbonatites in the past has been difficult due to complex geological histories. The team utilized isotope chemistry and high-resolution imagery to date the carbonatite rocks that host the niobium-rich ore. The team unraveled the complex geological history of the rocks.

     The graphic below shows the time period to which the igneous intrusion dates, over 60 million years from 830 million years ago to 760 million years ago, and a paleogeologic map showing the configuration of the supercontinent Rodinia during those times.

 

     

References:

 

800-million-year-old rare rocks predicted to support future superconducting technologies. Meenal Mehta. Green Matters. December 29, 2025. 800-million-year-old rare rocks predicted to support future superconducting technologies

Multi-method geochronology and isotope geochemistry of carbonatites in the Aileron Province, central Australia. Maximilian Dröllner, Christopher L Kirkland, Hugo KH Olierook, Andreas Zametzer, Bruno V Ribeiro, Jonas Kaempf, Martin Danišík, Bryant Ware, Kai Rankenburg, and David E Kelsey. Geological Magazine , Volume 162 , 2025 , e33. Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2025. Multi-method geochronology and isotope geochemistry of carbonatites in the Aileron Province, central Australia | Geological Magazine | Cambridge Core

Niobium. Wikipedia. Niobium - Wikipedia

The Russian-Iranian-Venezuelan Cooperation Nexus Needs to Be Dismantled

     While I am absolutely and certainly opposed to Trump in many areas, there are some I am in agreement, or at least partial agreement. I agree that Iran is a threat, Venezuela is a threat, and Russia is a threat. Sanctions against these three countries are important and should be continued and increased as much as possible. However, the sanctions have led to cooperation. Enforcing the sanctions was lax early in the Russia-Ukraine war due to potential effects on global energy markets. However, since markets stabilized in 2023 and 2024, it is a good time to enforce those sanctions and to pressure buyers as well. Trump has done that with India and a bit with China. Now, we see the possibility of the unraveling (hopefully) of the extensive sanctions-evasion network of these three countries.

     I am against the indiscriminate bombing and destruction of the so-called drug boats. While some of these boats were likely carrying cocaine, and some have been confirmed to be carrying cannabis, which is legal in much of the U.S., Colombian President Gustav Petro has also noted that many boats contained cannabis. He even suggested that some of the illegal farmers should grow cannabis instead of coca, since it could be more profitable. It is likely that the boats were not carrying fentanyl and that few if any of them were actually headed to the U.S. They were more likely headed to Europe, either directly or via Africa. I wrote about this recently. In any case, I think it is barbaric to simply blow up these boats, killing all aboard. While it may send a signal that we mean business, it is still barbaric.

     Trump said this morning that the U.S. is “locked and loaded and ready to go” if Iran uses lethal force against protestors. While I am not sure what we can do, I agree that the brutal regime needs to be confronted in some way to prevent or deter such actions. The country’s militarism, its threat to Israel, and its pursuit of nuclear weapons must be stopped. Newsweek writes:

“At sea last month, a sanctioned tanker hauling roughly 300,000 barrels of Russian naphtha slipped into Venezuelan waters even as other ships hesitated or turned back. And U.S. officials have detailed a Tehran–Caracas drone line, naming a Venezuelan state-owned aerospace firm as a client for Iranian-designed Mohajer systems. Stitch those frames together and a startling picture appears: the “Axis of Resistance” in 2026 runs on barrels and parts—Russia keeps Venezuela’s oil moving, Iran wants to sell the drones and munitions, and the United States is trying to squeeze both.”

     Venezuela needs very light petroleum liquids like naphtha, condensate, or natural gasoline as a diluent to allow its heavy oil to flow through pipelines so it can export it. Exports were up to about a million barrels per day before the impasse, but were cut in half. If we can prevent that diluent from getting there to be mixed with the oil, they won’t be able to export oil. Newsweek reports that Russia has replaced Iran as Venezuela’s supplier of naphtha.

     I disagree with the U.S. push to revive the so-called Monroe Doctrine, which states that we should control our own Western Hemisphere as our official “sphere of influence,” as people like Pete Hegseth and Bernie Sanders have argued. Sanders argued in 2022 that EU and NATO cooperation with Ukraine was impinging on Russia’s right to control its own sphere of influence, which includes Ukraine. I would ask Bernie, “Does that include Poland and the Baltic states as wel,l or other Eastern European countries?” While I don’t agree with the Monroe Doctrine officially, I do think that we do need to be concerned and protect our sphere of influence unofficially. We don’t need to assert that we “own” the Western Hemisphere, but we do need to keep these bad actors, namely Russia and Iran, the hell out of it, especially in their criminal aspects. Newsweek reports that one Russian tanker carrying naphtha did make it to port in Venezuela in late December. Newsweek also reports:

“Meanwhile, Iran is offering Venezuela something else. On December 30, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned a Venezuela–Iran network that, it says, facilitated “millions of dollars’” in combat UAV sales and local assembly, naming Venezuela’s state company EANSA and its chair alongside Iranian partners tied to Mohajer-series drones. That same week Washington also targeted 29 “shadow-fleet” vessels and their managers moving Iranian oil, and separately hit Venezuela-linked traders and tankers.”

“Tehran is already adapting. The Financial Times reported that Iran’s defense export arm is now offering major weapons for payment in cryptocurrency—one of the first overt cases of a state advertising crypto-denominated arms sales.”

     Iran’s ability to manufacture and sell arms to other countries and to build up its military capabilities needs to be stopped. They caused a lot of problems in Lebanon and Syria, which thankfully have been mitigated. The Russians aided in developing those problems. With the liberation of Syria from Assad and the weakening of Hezbollah, things have improved, but Iran’s militarism has yet to be squelched. Shipments of arms to the Houthis have been blocked, and the Houthis have been weakened a bit by U.S. bombing, but they are still a regional threat. The Iranian regime has one of the worst human rights records in the world and is also a world leader in executions, often of political prisoners. Newsweek concludes:

“Put it together and the “Axis of Resistance” looks less like an ideological bloc and more like an “Axis of Invoices.” Russia supplies the thinning liquid that lets Venezuela ship oil while Iran supplies the drones and munitions that tie Caracas to Tehran’s military-industrial ecosystem. The United States is trying to raise the cost and lower the reliability of both flows.”

     This adamantly ‘anti-Western’ axis of criminality needs to be weakened and basically put out of business. The latest Iranian demand to be paid in cryptocurrency is another indication that crypto is the preferred payment method of criminals. Crypto is not only good for criminals. The Trumps are said to have increased their net worth by over $1 billion in 2025 due to crypto investments. The president was said to have doubled his net worth in 2025, despite his crypto and media investments losing value. According to The Daily Beast:

“Even though his $TRUMP coin crashed, the president raked in $362 million in profits through sales of tokens and fees.”

     Thus, he profited while his investors lost out.

“The billionaire president himself has not lost out as a result of his businesses’ shortcomings; Forbes estimates his net worth has more than doubled over the past year thanks mostly to gains in various crypto investments.”

“In October, the Financial Times calculated that Trump and his family had reaped more than $1 billion in crypto cash, thanks to an industry boom fueled by the administration’s own crypto-friendly policies.”

“Sons Eric, 41, and Donald Jr., 48, increased their net worth tenfold and sixfold, respectively, according to Forbes. Eric Trump now has an estimated net worth of $750 million thanks largely to his stake in his crypto-mining business, while Donald Jr. is worth an estimated $500 million.”

     Meanwhile, the rest of us must deal with the ever-rising cost of living.

     To get back to the Russia-Iran-Venezuela nexus, these countries have defied international laws for far too long. The U.S. should set an example by complying with international laws and domestic laws by ceasing to blow up drug boats. We should continue to weaken the organized criminals, militant groups, and rogue government support for them, and work to weaken and eliminate these bastions of corruption. Corruption is a huge problem all around the world, and we should all work against it where we can.

     In the waters of Finland, a Russian ship carrying banned Russian steel was interdicted by Finnish authorities. Russian ships and sanctioned tankers have been strongly implicated in damaging undersea cables and acting as drone launching sites around Europe as a somewhat overt intimidation tactic. Russia’s abysmal wartime behavior in Ukraine, with its war crimes and exceptional brutality to Ukrainians, civilians, and its own Russian soldiers, is indisputably barbaric. It would also be nice to see more interdiction of Russia’s extensive shadow fleets. Putin’s insane push to allow thousands of deaths in the so-called “meat-grinder” assaults is a truly barbaric military strategy. Its military behavior, along with its ‘axis of insanity’ allies, which also includes the truly barbaric country that is North Korea, needs to be very strongly resisted, and any peace negotiations need to be very harsh on Russia, not on Ukraine.

     One thing that is clear to me and should be clear to everyone is who the bad actors are. Any thoughts or concessions to the contrary are simply incorrect and out of touch. Negotiating post-war business deals with Russia should not make up any part of the peace negotiation process. I would advocate for zero sanctions relief as part of any peace deal. Russia unapologetically crossed the line over the past eleven years in Ukraine and needs to be held to account.

References:

 

Uncommon knowledge: Trump faces a new axis of resistance. Newsweek Editors. Newsweek. January 2, 2026. Uncommon knowledge: Trump faces a new axis of resistance

Billionaire Trump raked in a fortune as his investors lost out. Janna Brancolini. The Daily Beast. January 2, 2026. Billionaire Trump raked in a fortune as his investors lost out

 

19 Centi-billionaires Have a Combined Net Worth of +$2.5 Trillion: Forbes 500 = $11.9 Trillion Net Worth: This is Beyond Grotesque and Unfair: It Calls for Some Sarcasm

      With people like Mitt Romney calling for wealth taxes and California exploring a wealth tax that some of those targeted say would simply force them to leave the state, there is a seemingly growing momentum to make the super-wealthy pay more, their “fair share,” if you will. The referenced opinion article with a sarcastic title in USA Today by Rex Huppke notes that globally there are 3148 billionaires, people with 1000 times more wealth than a millionaire, and 19 centi-billionaires (with net worth above $100 billion) with 100,000 times more wealth than a millionaire. He notes that in 2025, about 340 new billionaires were added, nearly one per day. The world’s richest 500 billionaires have a net worth of about $11.9 trillion, that is, $11,900,000,000,000. If all that money were in the form of $100 bills, assuming one second per bill, it would take one person 3773 years to count it, working continuously 24 hours a day. It is simply an astounding amount of wealth.

     Corporate CEOs make up the vast majority of the so-called corporate oligarchs that make up what Bernie Sanders calls the “billionaire class.”  

     Is Huppke’s sarcasm apt? He gives some New Year’s resolutions billionaires should adopt:

“Obviously, one of the main fears billionaires live with is being eaten by a poor person. With the uberwealthy getting richer in 2025 by occasionally shouting “AI!” and with normal-people food prices continuing to rise, the threat of “eat the rich” becoming a reality grew considerably. That will continue in 2026, so all billionaires must resolve to increase the exterior wall height around their mansions to keep out hungry poors.”

     I might also add that these guys (most are guys, somewhere around 87-89%), or at least the richest ones, own AI companies, the same ones that are building data centers, making electricity more expensive for all people and threatening the environment, increasing carbon emissions, threatening local drinking water supplies, consuming large amounts of energy and water, and generating wastewater.

     Where would a billionaire be without a superyacht or two or three? Huppke continues:

 “A key New Year’s resolution is to obtain the super-est of superyachts. The most logical choice would be a superyacht that includes its own onboard ocean, upon which there is another superyacht. The days of low-brown “superyacht with smaller superyacht attached to the side" are over.”

     Huppke continues to the next New Year’s resolution: talk about AI even more:

“While most billionaires did a great job of occasionally saying things about artificial intelligence in 2025, they need to up their game in 2026 if the glory years are to continue. It doesn’t matter what they say, as my mention of “AI” will increase their net worth considerably.”

     Huppke concludes the list of resolutions with one to solve the issue of immortality:

“Billionaires can say things like “AI will truly be the cognitive creativity hub of the meta-flurp moving forward” or “Artificial intelligence has orgasmically altered our perceptions of positive quasi-spiritual integration.” It just has to be something that doesn’t make sense, forcing people to Google what they said and allowing AI bots to collect more personal data.”

“In 2026, the wealthy must resolve to find the key to immortality, allowing them more time to enjoy the money they could never possibly spend. This might require the blood of some healthy nonbillionaires and perhaps a bit of experimentation conducted on private islands. But as we learned well in 2025, the super-rich are never held accountable for anything. So I’m sure it will all be just fine.”

“Happy New Year, billionaires! Please send cash.”

  

 

References:

 

I hope billionaires get richer in 2026. They deserve it. Opinion by Rex Huppke, USA TODAY. January 1, 2026. I hope billionaires get richer in 2026. They deserve it. | Opinion

A $2.2 trillion jump in billionaire net worth. Douglas A. McIntyre. 24/7 Wall St. December 31, 2025. A $2.2 trillion jump in billionaire net worth

The U.S. and China Launch Agentic AI Networked Systems for Scientific Research: Leveraging Supercomputer Infrastructure for Accelerated Breakthroughs and Discoveries

     Deploying AI agents to accelerate scientific discovery is an exciting prospect. The U.S. and China, the world’s leading countries for scientific research and AI, are in competition. Both have recently launched agentic AI networked systems to accelerate data analysis and discovery. These systems, the Genesis Mission of the U.S. and China’s AI+ Initiative, will utilize and network powerful supercomputers.

 

The U.S. Genesis Mission

     The Genesis Mission was announced by President Trump on November 24, 2025. It is part of the Department of Energy.

     According to Wikipedia:

“The mission seeks to create a centralized AI platform designed to accelerate breakthroughs in various fields, including space exploration, healthcare, and national security. The initiative's overarching goal is to harness AI's potential to solve complex global challenges and enhance the nation's technological competitiveness. Through public and private sector collaboration, Genesis Mission 2025 will focus on developing advanced AI models that can support major scientific endeavors, including space exploration and environmental sustainability.”

     According to Sandia Laboratory News, one goal of the Genesis Mission is to “double the productivity and impact of American science and engineering within a decade.” The competitive aspect of the project is revealed by the use of terms like “technological dominance.”

“The Genesis Mission will mobilize the DOE’s 17 national laboratories, industry and academia to build an integrated discovery platform.”

“The platform will connect the world’s best supercomputers, AI systems and next-generation quantum systems with the most advanced scientific instruments in the nation. Once complete, the platform will be the world’s most complex and powerful scientific instrument ever built. It will draw on the expertise of roughly 40,000 DOE scientists, engineers, and technical staff, alongside private sector innovators, to ensure that the United States leads and builds the technologies that will define the future.”

     An article by Kaif Shaikh in Interesting Engineering explains the competition and the capabilities being pursued:

“…scientific leadership in the twenty-first century will be determined by who can best combine data, computation, and algorithms into one continuous cycle of learning, experimentation, and innovation.”

“AI can process far more data than humans, test millions of possibilities, and uncover patterns that researchers would never see in time. Deep Learning systems can absorb the entire known record of a scientific field, learn the underlying rules, and then use that intuition to design new molecules, materials, or reactor configurations. By applying these techniques directly to the nation’s scientific infrastructure, the Genesis Mission aims to give every major research area access to the same capabilities.”

     The Genesis Mission aims to create:

“…the American Science and Security Platform, a secure, national-scale research system that integrates DOE laboratory supercomputers, cloud-based AI computing environments, scientific models, and extensive federal datasets.”

     According to the executive order, the goal of the American Science and Security Platform is to provide:

(i)    high-performance computing resources, including DOE national laboratory supercomputers and secure cloud-based AI computing environments, capable of supporting large-scale model training, simulation, and inference;

(ii)   AI modeling and analysis frameworks, including AI agents to explore design spaces, evaluate experimental outcomes, and automate workflows;

(iii)  computational tools, including AI-enabled predictive models, simulation models, and design optimization tools;

(iv)   domain-specific foundation models across the range of scientific domains covered;

(v)    secure access to appropriate datasets, including proprietary, federally curated, and open scientific datasets, in addition to synthetic data generated through DOE computing resources, consistent with applicable law; applicable classification, privacy, and intellectual property protections; and Federal data-access and data-management standards; and

(vi)   experimental and production tools to enable autonomous and AI-augmented experimentation and manufacturing in high-impact domains.

     Shaikh points out in his article that AI has already accelerated many scientific discoveries so the likelihood of a more powerful networked system should be able to exceed previous discoveries. Some of the fields where it could yield results include manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, nuclear fission and fusion, quantum information science, and semiconductors. The networking aspect connects the national labs, academia, and industry.

     The U.S. also has a large private sector AI initiative, in collaboration with the U.S. government, known as the Stargate Initiative. Initial funding commitments are $100 billion, with plans to spend $500 billion within four years. Much of the initiative involves AI infrastructure buildout in the form of advanced AI data centers. It was announced in January 2025. It was also reported that OpenAI was pitching the construction of some data centers as large as 5 GW in power consumption. That is pretty immense for a single facility.

 

China’s AI+ Initiative (and the BIE-1 Portable Supercomputer)

     In late October 2025, China announced that it had developed a refrigerator-sized supercomputer, the BIE-1, that could rival much larger models with 90% less energy use. The feat was said to be achieved through the use of an intuitive neural network and a brain-like AI algorithm. According to Interesting Engineering:

“The BIE-1 integrates 1,152 CPU cores with 4.8 terabytes of DDR5 memory and 204 TB of storage space. It closely mimics the human brain’s computational mechanisms, enabling efficient learning and interpretable reasoning. It also displayed the ability to learn and extract patterns from small data.”

     It achieves training speeds of 100,000 tokens per second and inference speeds of 500,000 tokens per second, which rival much larger supercomputers. One goal is to provide access to supercomputer power for non-professionals.

     In December 2025, China announced that it had networked its system of supercomputers across 1,243 miles, with 98% of the energy efficiency of it being a single data center. The link-up is part of the Future Network Test Facility (FNTF), China’s first major national infrastructure project in the information and communication sector, launched a decade ago, but now ready to operate. The network utilizes optical transmission lines. I assume this is the same as what we call fiber-optics or optical fiber technology.

“Its capabilities were demonstrated at last week’s launch ceremony, when a 72-terabyte dataset from FAST, the world’s largest single-dish radio telescope, was transmitted across 621 miles in just 1.6 hours. Over the regular internet, the transfer would have taken about 699 days.”

     The network consists of more than thirty supercomputers and is known as the National Supercomputing Network, or SCNet.

     According to Interesting Engineering’s Sujita Sinha:

“According to China Science Daily, the new AI agent can accept simple natural-language instructions and carry out entire research workflows with minimal human involvement. Once given a task, it can break the problem into steps, allocate computing resources, run simulations, analyze large datasets, and generate comprehensive scientific reports.”

“The system is designed to function as a self-directed research assistant rather than a passive tool. Officials say this approach dramatically reduces the time required for complex scientific work. Tasks that previously took researchers a full day can now be completed in about an hour.”

“Nearly 100 scientific workflows are currently supported. These span key areas such as materials science, biotechnology, and industrial artificial intelligence. The focus is on accelerating discovery by automating routine but computationally intensive research processes.”  

The Future? It May Arrive Sooner with Armies of AI Agents as Digital Assistants and Linked Supercomputers on the Job

     It looks like the U.S. and China are expanding AI, including agentic AI, at roughly a similar rate. It is, however, difficult to compare the two countries’ efforts without real data for comparison. It bodes well for interesting times in scientific discovery ahead. Along with discovery, I would assume AI will continue to provide optimization of many processes and systems.

 

References:

 

China rolls out super AI science network to challenge Trump’s Genesis Mission. Sujita Sinha. Interesting Engineering. January 1, 2025. China rolls out super AI science network to challenge Trump’s Genesis Mission

Genesis Mission: A National Mission to Accelerate Science Through Artificial Intelligence. U.S. Department of Energy. Genesis Mission

Genesis Mission. Wikipedia. Genesis Mission - Wikipedia

DOE launches Genesis Mission to transform American science and innovation through AI computing revolution. Darrick Hurst. Sandia Lab News. December 4, 2025. DOE launches Genesis Mission to transform American science and innovation through AI computing revolution – LabNews

The Genesis Mission: How the US plans to rebuild scientific discovery with AI: Genesis boosts energy, biotech, materials, and national security. Here’s how it works. Kaif Shaikh. Interesting Engineering. November 28, 2025. What is Genesis Mission, and how it speeds up US scientific research

China activates massive distributed AI system spanning 1,243 miles nationwide. China switches on a nationwide optical backbone that fuses scattered data centers into an ultra-fast, unified AI supercomputer. Neetika Walter. December 11, 2025. China activates 1,243-mile distributed AI supercomputer network

China unveils ‘fridge-sized’ AI server that slashes power use by 90%: The breakthrough design aims to make advanced AI computing more sustainable and accessible for businesses and research labs. Atharva Gosavi. Interesting Engineering. October  27, 2025. China’s compact AI server claims 90% lower power consumption

LAUNCHING THE GENESIS MISSION. Executive Orders. The White House. November 24, 2025. Launching the Genesis Mission – The White House

Trump plans $500 billion AI power to defeat diseases, enemies at ‘unprecedented’ rate: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called the venture ‘the most important project of this era.’ Sujita Sinha. Interesting Engineering. January 22, 2025. Stargate: US plans $500 billion AI project to defeat deadly diseases 

Deep Rock Disposal Solutions is Drilling a Class I UIC Disposal Well for Landfill Leachate Near Marietta, Ohio

     Class I injection wells are utilized to store industrial and municipal waste. There are not many Class I injection wells, about ten in Ohio. Deep Rock Disposal Solutions is drilling such a well at its facilities in Washington County, Ohio, near Marietta. The plan is to inject landfill leachate into the Rose Run Sandstone reservoir at around 8000ft in depth. The sandstone is a saline reservoir in this area, although it does produce significant quantities of oil & gas further west, where it subcrops at the Knox Unconformity in what are essentially buried outcrops or buried hills.

     ALL Consulting, which is managing the project, describes the well as a ‘non-hazardous Class I injection well.’ Below, ALL Consulting’s Dan Arthur, an expert on well plugging, a former EPA scientist, and educator, gave details of the project:

“ALL Consulting is currently managing a rather significant project that involves overseeing the permitting, drilling, completion, and testing of a Class I Non-Hazardous injection well in Ohio on a Design/Build (D/B) basis. This project will facilitate injection of landfill leachate to depths approximately 8,000 feet below land surface (into the Rose Run Sandstone) and eliminate the need for thousands of truck trips to haul the landfill leachate to the local public water treatment system for disposal. Regulatory requirements for Class I injection wells in Ohio are even more stringent than the U.S. EPA requirements for Class I wells, including performing 10 miles of seismic surveys to identify any faulting that could lead to induced seismicity, stringent casing and cementing well construction requirements, numerous geophysical logging suites and testing requirements to ensure compliance with all Ohio EPA Class I regulations. Class I injection continues to be the sound and environmentally friendly methodology approved by U.S. EPA to remove waste water streams from being discharged into the surface waters of a state.”

     The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that about 53% of Class I wells are non-hazardous industrial waste and 17% hazardous waste. The other 30% injects non-hazardous municipal waste, although all, or nearly all of these are in Florida.

     As Dan Arthur noted, Ohio, which has been granted primacy for Class I injection wells, has rules and requirements that exceed those of the U.S. EPA. One rule for Non-Hazardous Class I wells is the required geological studies as indicated below:

Geologic studies of the injection and confining zones to determine that:

• The receiving formations are sufficiently permeable, porous, homogeneous and thick enough to receive the fluids at the proposed injection rate without requiring excessive pressure.

• Formations are large enough to prevent pressure buildup and injected fluid would not reach aquifer recharge areas.

• There is a low-permeability confining zone to prevent vertical migration of injection fluids.

• Injected fluids are compatible with well materials and with rock and fluid in injection zone.

• The area is geologically stable.

• The injection zone has no economic value.

     The construction requirements for Non-Hazardous Class I injection wells are as follows:

• Approved engineering schematics and subsurface construction details. 

• At least two layers of concentric casing and cement.

• Outer (or surface) casing cemented to the surface. 

• Tubing and packer design based on:

o Well depth

o Characteristics of the injected fluid

o Injection and annular pressure

o Injection rate

o Temperature and volume of injected fluid

o Size of well casing

o Cementing requirements

• Tests during drilling to ensure no vertical migration of fluid.

     In addition, there are the following operation requirements:

• Maintain injection at pressures that will not initiate new fractures or propagate existing fractures.

• Approved fluids and permitted pressures must be maintained in the annular space.

• Continuous monitoring and recording devices.

     The project plans to inject up to 6000 barrels, or 252,000 gallons of waste per day into the well. If the well accepted that much waste every single day of the year, it would equal about 92 million gallons per year. However, that level of injection is not likely to happen. Injection pressures exceeding 13,000 psi are expected. That means that there would be some concern about induced seismicity, although there are no mapped basement faults in the area of concern for slipping. Nonetheless, with pressures and volumes that high, there will still be some concern.

     Environmental groups have expressed concern about contaminating drinking water aquifers, but that is not a realistic concern, except in the case of accidental spills. There has been some documented migration of injection water in the general area from Class II oil & gas wastewater injection wells. However, these wells injected wastewater into the much shallower Devonian Shale formation nearly a mile above the Rose Run Sandstone. The Devonian Shale exhibits fracture porosity, which may allow injected fluids to migrate much farther laterally through the formation, through the fractures. Wastewater is thought to have migrated a few miles, affecting producing gas wells in the Devonian Shale in the area. No water migrated anywhere near drinking water aquifers, being a few thousand feet below and separated by ample confining layers. Basically, the only legitimate concern for drinking water aquifers is through accidental spills. There is the same risk for spills now with trucking the waste to water treatment facilities. Keeping that waste out of the treatment plants makes it easier for them to treat existing water to adequate standards.

     Deep Rock Disposal Solutions has selected a 2-mile area of review (AoR), exceeding the requirement of a ¼ mile AoR.

 

     The company will utilize existing seismometer network stations around its nearby Class II injection wells to monitor any seismic activity. 

     The Ohio EPA held a 2-hour meeting in Marietta in September for the public, where many questions were asked.

 

References:

 

Ohio EPA to host public meeting about company’s proposal to drill class 1 injection well. YouTube. WTAP Parkersburg, WV.  Bing Videos

Class I Non-Hazardous Injection Well in Ohio. Dan Arthur. ALL Consulting. December 12, 2025. Class I Non-Hazardous Injection Well in Ohio - ALL Consulting

Requirements for Class I Injection: Wells and Class I Hazardous Waste Wells. Ohio EPA. uic-class1-requirements.pdf

Class I Industrial and Municipal Waste Disposal Wells. U.S. EPA. Class I Industrial and Municipal Waste Disposal Wells | US EPA

Injection Wells. Erin O’Neil. Marietta Times. July 29, 2025.  Injection Wells | News, Sports, Jobs - Marietta Times

Washington County Fights Back Against Proposed Class I Injection Well. Vanlyn Ramsay. Buckeye Environmental Network. September 11, 2025. Washington County Fights Back Against Proposed Class I Injection Well (9/9/25) - Buckeye Environmental Network