Understanding the deep mantle: experimental petrology at very high pressures. The great processes that shape the Earth at its surface, including plate tectonics and continental drift, can only be understood by appreciating how the interior of the Earth works. However, studying the deep Earth is difficult because of the enormous pressures and temperatures involved. This research proposes to simulate conditions in the Earth's lower mantle (that is, below 670 km in depth) by making use of an Austra ....Understanding the deep mantle: experimental petrology at very high pressures. The great processes that shape the Earth at its surface, including plate tectonics and continental drift, can only be understood by appreciating how the interior of the Earth works. However, studying the deep Earth is difficult because of the enormous pressures and temperatures involved. This research proposes to simulate conditions in the Earth's lower mantle (that is, below 670 km in depth) by making use of an Australian invented diamond-based ceramic, to double the pressure at which experiments can be performed. The information gained from this fundamental research will help predict how giant ore bodies form. The development of the high-pressure apparatus will also aid material scientists in their quest for novel materials.Read moreRead less
Mineral Physics of the Earth's Core. Most information on the nature of Earth's core properties has come from teleseismic studies, which detect weak earthquake-wave signals that have traversed the Earth's deepest interior. These studies have revealed several unusual and enigmatic phenomena in the core, but interpretation of these observations must rely on mineral-physics data on the materials of the core (e.g. iron-based alloys). This project will create a unique world-class ultra-high pressure l ....Mineral Physics of the Earth's Core. Most information on the nature of Earth's core properties has come from teleseismic studies, which detect weak earthquake-wave signals that have traversed the Earth's deepest interior. These studies have revealed several unusual and enigmatic phenomena in the core, but interpretation of these observations must rely on mineral-physics data on the materials of the core (e.g. iron-based alloys). This project will create a unique world-class ultra-high pressure laboratory to obtain such data. By defining the composition and mineralogy of Earth's core, it will place Australia in the forefront of this exciting research field, and will also represent a major national resource for the study of novel materials at extreme conditions.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453436
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$448,284.00
Summary
An advanced electron microanalytical facility for South-East Queensland. Funding is requested to purchase an electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) unit to be located at The University of Queensland and to upgrade and re-configure the scanning electron microscope facilities at the Queensland University of Technology. These integrated systems will be shared between the two institutions and will provide much needed infrastructure for several high profile and high performing groups. These groups incl ....An advanced electron microanalytical facility for South-East Queensland. Funding is requested to purchase an electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) unit to be located at The University of Queensland and to upgrade and re-configure the scanning electron microscope facilities at the Queensland University of Technology. These integrated systems will be shared between the two institutions and will provide much needed infrastructure for several high profile and high performing groups. These groups include; Metallurgy, Materials, Earth Sciences, Chemistry, and Biomaterials. Acquisition of these facilities will complement the instrument mix at both institutions and will provide infrastructure that is necessary to sustain the leading edge research conducted by groups associated with this application.Read moreRead less