Paper Title: What is mineral informatics?

Author: Anirudh Prabhu, Shaunna M. Morrison, Peter Fox, Xiaogang Ma, Michael L. Wong, Jason R. Williams, Kenneth N. McGuinness, Sergey V. Krivovichev, Kerstin Lehnert, Jolyon Ralph, Barbara Lafuente, Robert T. Downs, Michael J. Walter, Robert M. Hazen

https://doi.org/10.2138/am-2022-8613

Paper Online 03 July 2023

Minerals, those seemingly unassuming elements beneath our feet, have long held the keys to understanding the complex history of our planetary bodies. In a quest to unravel the mysteries of our solar system and shed light on the geosphere's role in the origin and evolution of life, researchers are delving into the vast troves of mineral data available. The evolution of these data-driven efforts has given rise to a new frontier known as "Mineral Informatics."

Minerals as Data-Rich Treasures - Minerals, it turns out, are more than just rocks; they are repositories of valuable information about the evolution of our planet and celestial neighbors. Extracting, analyzing, and interpreting this wealth of data has become crucial in advancing our understanding of Earth and the broader cosmos.

Data-Driven Revolution - Over the past several decades, mineralogy has witnessed a steady transformation driven by data science and analytics methods. While these endeavors have shown tremendous promise, they have often been characterized by ad hoc approaches. Now, the time has come to organize and unify these efforts.

Introducing Mineral Informatics - In a groundbreaking paper published in American Mineralogist, the concept of "Mineral Informatics" is introduced as the future of mineral data research. This novel approach seeks to systematically synthesize and direct data-driven initiatives in mineralogy.

X-Informatics Foundations - At the heart of Mineral Informatics are the X-Informatics principles, which serve as the guiding framework for this emerging field. These principles not only align with the goals of mineralogists but also harness the power of data science and informatics to unlock new insights.

The Journey Ahead - The paper outlines a vision for Mineral Informatics, exploring its genesis and the essential elements that have shaped its emergence. It also addresses the needs, challenges, opportunities, and future directions of this innovative field.

Beyond Silos: Bridging Disciplines - The intention behind Mineral Informatics is not to create an isolated niche but rather to unite researchers from various backgrounds and fields of study. By systematizing and enhancing access to mineralogical data, this approach aims to foster cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Data Science's Vital Role - The integration of data science and informatics methods is identified as a pivotal next step in advancing integrative mineralogical studies. These tools promise to unlock a wealth of knowledge hidden within the Earth's minerals.

As the curtain rises on the era of Mineral Informatics, the scientific community anticipates a new wave of discoveries and insights, driven by data and collaboration. The study of minerals, once confined to the realm of geologists, now transcends disciplines, offering a unified approach to understanding the past, present, and future of our planet and the celestial bodies that surround it.