Barbara Arnold

Barbara Arnold is a Professor Of Practice in the John and Willie Leone Department of Energy & Mineral Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. She is affiliated with the Integrated Energy Systems research theme. Her expertise spans coal processing, mineral engineering, and environmental sustainability, with a focus on critical minerals recovery from coal waste and occupational safety in mining operations.

Her research interests include froth flotation technology, coal preparation plant design, dewatering processes, and the revalorization of mine tailings. She has led initiatives to address respirable coal dust toxicity and optimize critical mineral extraction from industrial waste. Notable projects include a $4.99M DOE grant to enhance domestic critical mineral supply chains and collaborative efforts to utilize coal wastes for ceramic materials.

Dr. Arnold has advised on numerous grants and oversees Dr. Arnold's Group, a research team focused on sustainable mining practices. Her work has been featured in high-profile publications like Journal of Hazardous Materials and Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration. Recent contributions include analyzing quartz and pyrite in respirable coal dust and advancing multiscale flotation separation techniques.

Her labs and teams emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, bridging theory and practice in mineral processing. Upcoming projects include the 2025 North American Mine Ventilation Symposium, highlighting her role in shaping mining safety standards and innovation.