University of Minnesota receives DOE Genesis Mission funding to advance AI breakthroughs

Projects will accelerate innovation in critical scientific and engineering challenges

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have had three projects selected for the U.S. Department of Energy’s inaugural Genesis Mission program, underscoring the University’s leadership in applying AI and advanced computing to address critical scientific and engineering challenges in energy, technology and national security.

“We believe the University of Minnesota has a real opportunity — and a responsibility — to help shape how AI advances discovery and benefits society,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Gretchen Ritter. “These Genesis Mission awards are a testament to the strength of our collaborative research community and the extraordinary work of our faculty. We’re not just driving new understanding in a rapidly changing world, we’re preparing our students and researchers to lead with integrity and positioning Minnesota for the future.”

The University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering secured the three Genesis Mission Phase I awards. A highly competitive initiative that drew the largest response to a funding opportunity in the Department of Energy’s history, the program awarded 278 grants to researchers at 168 universities, 87 national laboratories, 19 companies and four nonprofit organizations. Phase I funding supports researchers as they develop and test research workflows that integrate AI with scientific discovery.

“The Genesis Mission brings together the scientific expertise, engineering capability and advanced computing needed to accelerate discovery,” said Andrew Alleyne, dean of the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering. “University of Minnesota researchers are well positioned to contribute to this work. Integrating AI throughout the research process can help our teams evaluate ideas faster and move promising solutions forward in areas including energy systems, advanced materials and intelligent technologies.”

Using AI to unlock next-generation semiconductor devices
Uwe Kortshagen, a Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, is leading a project aimed at transforming semiconductor manufacturing. Today’s chip fabrication processes require extreme precision but remain difficult to adapt to new materials. Kortshagen’s team will develop an AI-driven discovery engine to rapidly evaluate manufacturing approaches, identify sources of error and accelerate the development of next-generation semiconductor materials.

A new frontier for “digital twins”
Qizhi He, assistant professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geo-Engineering, will lead a project aimed at transforming geothermal energy extraction. Using generative AI, the research team will develop a real-time “digital twin” of underground environments that can rapidly process sensor data and provide more accurate insights than current models. The technology will help energy operators make faster, better-informed decisions, improving efficiency while reducing costs.

Optimizing critical mineral extraction
Peter Kang, associate professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, is developing new approaches to recover critical minerals more efficiently and sustainably. His research focuses on “in situ” recovery, a process that extracts minerals by circulating fluids underground rather than through traditional mining. By combining lab experiments with next-generation AI, Kang and his team will better predict how fluids move through fractured rock and dissolve minerals, helping optimize recovery and improve extraction efficiency.

Advancing AI Leadership at the University of Minnesota
The three Genesis Mission awards highlight the University of Minnesota’s growing leadership in applying AI to solve complex challenges. This recognition builds on the University’s long history of technological innovation, from early supercomputing advances to the development of the Gopher protocol, a precursor to today’s internet.

“The Genesis Mission’s recognition of our faculty underscores the University of Minnesota’s position as a leader in AI-driven scientific discovery,” said Galin Jones, the University’s vice provost for AI. “By applying AI to complex challenges in energy, natural resources and physical systems, these researchers are demonstrating how AI can accelerate discovery and deliver real-world impact. Their work highlights the power of combining advanced statistical modeling, differentiable physics and machine learning to drive innovation and sustainability.”

In support of its AI leadership, the University recently launched the AI Hub, a University-wide initiative to advance responsible AI innovation, education and workforce development across Minnesota. The AI Hub brings together researchers, students, industry and community partners to accelerate discovery and public impact. Through initiatives such as new AI-focused curriculum and the College of Science and Engineering’s AI Makerspace, the University is expanding opportunities for faculty, staff and students to develop the skills and hands-on experience needed to succeed in an AI-driven workforce.

About the University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, with campuses in Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester and the Twin Cities, is driven by a singular vision of excellence. We are proud of our mission of accessible world-class education, groundbreaking research, and community-engaged outreach, and we are unified in our drive to serve Minnesota, the nation and the world. Visit system.umn.edu.