Advancing deep underground research through integration of engineering and science

Deep underground provides enormous resources for mankind, such as energy, minerals, and water. It can also provide effective solutions for pollutant disposal, such as nuclear waste disposal and CO₂ geosequestration, as well as storage spaces. In addition, deep underground is of great necessity because it provides an ultra-quiet environment for scientific research facilities for advanced experiments in physics, chemistry, and medicine.

It is evident that underground work can help to improve the quality of human lives. Deep underground science and engineering play an integral part in the plan, design, and construction of underground spaces. Deep underground exploration often faces extreme conditions such as high in-situ stress, high ground temperature, high pore pressure, and severe engineering disturbance. As such, engineers need to investigate the equilibrium of geological environments so as to ensure positive outcomes and avoid unnecessary geohazards.

In view of the above, high-level research on deep underground science and engineering is clearly necessary. Earth science, environment science, and engineering science issues in the exploitation of deep resources, development of deep energy and utilization of deep space are important research directions for future scientific and technological development globally. The above issues should be addressed within advanced multidisciplinary research fields through the integration of earth science, environment science and engineering.

It is thus timely that Deep Underground Science and Engineering (DUSE) publishes its inaugural issue in 2022. The mission of DUSE is to report the latest innovation and forefront research achievements in deep underground science and engineering. DUSE aims to gather important revolutionary technologies and theoretical breakthroughs in the field and to provide a high-level academic exchange platform for global researchers in the field of deep underground science and engineering. It provides researchers worldwide the opportunity to keep abreast of the latest developments in the fields of exploration and extraction of geo-resources; energy extraction and storage; underground infrastructures; geoenvironments and waste geological disposal; research and testing space in deep underground; plan, design, and construction technology for underground space and engineering; and other related topics. DUSE integrates earth science, environment science, and engineering science through the multiphysical couplings in deep underground research.

The four main objectives of this journal are: (a) to grasp the latest development trend and achievements of deep underground science and engineering; (b) to provide a platform for exchanges on prospective plans of deep underground space development; (c) to report the important findings of comprehensive international cooperation research programs on deep underground science and engineering; and (d) to provide a lead on the research of deep underground science and engineering.

The DUSE publishes papers on important theoretical breakthroughs, valuable reviews of state-of-the-art, or discussions on the latest innovative, prospective, and leading achievements in the field of deep underground science and engineering. Papers on core fundamental research, revolutionary technology development, major engineering construction, special environmental effects, and other important related studies are also solicited.

In this inaugural issue, the research subjects cover geothermal energy extraction, injection-induced earthquake, deep underground laboratory facility, wave propagation in fractured rock masses through theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and laboratory or field test, excavation machine wearing, and additive manufacturing technology in mining engineering. The DUSE Editorial Board welcomes high-quality contributions in various fields of deep underground science and technology, particularly on valuable case studies and multidisciplinary contributions.

DUSE has established two boards: Editorial Board and Early Career Editorial Board. The Editorial Board is currently composed of 34 experts from 10 countries and across many disciplines and regions. Among them, 5 editorial advisors are well-known experts in the field of deep underground science and engineering with abundant experience in managing international journals. The senior editorial team includes Heping Xie as the editor-in-chief, Chunfai Leung as the executive editor-in-chief, Jianguo Wang and Xiaozhao Li as associate editors. The Early Career Editorial Board currently has 121 members, with Ru Zhang as the director. The Editorial team members are committed to developing DUSE as a leading international journal.

DUSE has recently organized its first meeting for its Early Career Editorial Board through face-to-face and online portals. This first meeting is part of a series of Frontier Forum in Deep Underground Science and Engineering (F2DUSE) on the cutting-edge research topics related to deep underground science and engineering. Scientists from different countries can disseminate and exchange their new research achievements with leading experts as the invited keynote speakers. DUSE hopes that these will enhance the understanding and support among the members of the editorial board and the international community in deep underground science and engineering.

DUSE is a new online open-access journal published by international renowned publisher John Wiley and Sons and initiated by the China University of Mining and Technology. The Wiley Company provides the processes, production, and marketing efforts to this new journal. China University of Mining and Technology provides strong financial support to absorb the publication cost for the authors in the first 3 years. The Editorial Board understands that the success of DUSE depends on international collaboration in the global community of scientists as authors, reviewers, editors, and readers. They can read, cite, and work with this new journal. DUSE hopes that researchers and practising engineers/scientists will appreciate the articles in the first and subsequent issues and consider submitting their research articles to the Journal.

The development of DUSE as a respected and truly international forum in deep underground relies on the international deep underground community. The Editorial Board looks forward to receiving your strong support and, above all, your contributions.