Project Info
*Carbonates as natural ceramics and synthetic geology
Geoff Brennecka
gbrennec@mines.edu
Alexis Navarre-Sitchler
asitchle@mines.edu
For centuries, materials scientists have relied almost exclusively on thermal energy for processing engineered materials, largely ignoring the millennia over which natural geologic processes have been achieving many of the same outcomes with combinations of much more modest levels of temperature, pressure, and chemistry. Expanding the landscape of input energies beyond simply making a hotter furnace will open up opportunities for previously impossible material integration while dramatically reducing energy consumption and waste.
Similarly, geologists and geochemists often rely on collecting and analyzing natural samples to try to look backward in time to understand how the rock structure developed, and do not take advantage of expertise and knowledge in processes that generate desired structures within the disciplines of materials science.
This work will focus on nucleation/growth of CaCO3 on a variety of surfaces as a step towards better understanding our planet’s past and engineering future materials.
The two faculty members associated with this project are both very interested in expanding into this collaborative research area and will be directly involved. Neither has a dedicated graduate student working directly on this topic, but each has graduate students whose projects are close enough that they can serve as effective trainers and mentors for the MURF students.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Not applicable
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5094040
https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2017.262
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201602489
https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.14554
Primary Contacts:
Geoff Brennecka – geoff.brennecka@mines.edu
Alexis Sitchler – asitchler@mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Basic understanding of introductory chemistry, interest in open-ended questions
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
At a minimum, an average of ~4hr/wk per student would probably be required to make some early meaningful progress, but the progress and opportunities would increase non-linearly with additional effort
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
Traditional powder processing of ceramics and associated measurement/characterization of engineered and geologic samples (e.g., particle size and density measurements, operation of furnaces, presses, mills, SEM, XRD, X-ray CT). For motivated/advanced student(s) the project can transition into parameterization of numerical models of reactive transport using the collected data and statistical analysis of characteristics engineered samples in the context of similar data collected from geologic samples.
MENTORING PLAN
PhD students will do the majority of in-lab training; faculty members will do the majority of technical planning / discussions / analysis with the MURF students, ideally in regular (~semi-weekly) meetings of all involved parties.
Preferred Student Status
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior