Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen Delivering Lecture

Dean Yanli Huang Hosting the Forum

Forum Scene

On September 9, the School of Mines hosted the fourth session of the Mining Academic Innovation Forum at Room A604, featuring an invited lecture by Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen, Discipline Lead of Mining and Geotechnical Engineering at The University of Queensland, Australia. The forum was chaired by Professor Yanli Huang, Dean of the School, with over 100 faculty members and students participating.

Professor Chen's lecture, titled "Characterization of Sedimentary Rock Properties Using Machine Learning", shared scientific achievements and research insights on applying machine learning to rock characterization. Focusing on coalbed methane extraction and coal mining, he introduced theoretical and applied research using machine learning algorithms to analyze drilling and LWD data, developed a Group-based Machine Learning (GML) modeling workflow, created automated calculation of RQD and fracture spacing via Mask RCNN computer vision models, achieved Geotechnical Unit (GTU) classification through unsupervised K-means clustering, and established a machine learning workflow for CMRR (Coal Mine Roof Rating) calculation. Following the lecture, Professor Chen engaged in in-depth discussions with attendees on machine learning algorithms and their applications.

The Mining Academic Innovation Forum was established in 2024 to foster academic exchange in mining engineering and related disciplines, bringing together energy scholars and experts to discuss disciplinary trends, share innovative research, promote resource sharing, and advance high-quality development of mining engineering. Since its inception, the forum has invited Professor Quansheng Liu from Wuhan University, Professor Mostafa SHARIFZADEH from Curtin University, Australia, and Associate Professor Guang Xu from Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA, to deliver special lectures.

Speaker Profile: Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen serves as Discipline Lead of Mining and Geotechnical Engineering and Deputy Director of the Research Committee at The University of Queensland. He co-chairs the ISRM Commission on Rock Weathering and Erosion, specializing in geomechanics, fluid flow in fractured porous media, and machine learning. His honors include the 2023 Gas Science and Engineering (GSE) Outstanding Scientist Award, 2022 "Rising Star" in Global Energy and Fuels, 2011 American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA) Research Award, and recognition as a Top 2% Global Scientist in Energy in 2023.

News Source: Research Management Office