Current topics
Investigate the structure of hydrous granite melts and silicate-rich fluids using high energy XRD and enlighten the local structure of metals in hydrous melts and silicate-rich fluids by mean of XAS. Dissolution and thermal reduction of metal oxides at sub- and supercritical conditions in water dominated solutions.
Research Interests
Study of partially molten systems, definition of the structure of volatile-bearing (e.g. H2O, CO2, S, etc.) silicate melts and high-solute-rich fluids and investigation of dissolution of mineral phases in sub- and super-critical fluids.
To approach these topics I use as a principal tool high pressure and temperature experimentation.
My project at
St. Francis Xavier University aim to develop novel approaches to
investigate and define the atomic and molecular arrangements of such
melts and co-existing fluids. This goal is being pursued through
experimentation with a modified Hydrothermal Diamond Anvil Cell (HDAC)
and the usage of cut-of-the-edge analytical capabilities, like
Synchrotron
High Energy X-Rays Diffraction, Neutron Diffraction, and
collection of EXAFS spectra at hydrothermal and magmatic pressures and
temperatures. Our attention is focussed on simplified granitic systems
and related hydrothermal fluids, and we use water-saturated glasses as
starting materials.
Investigation of silicate melts, with their textural and chemical relationships with the surrounding solid silicates is another intriguing subject in which I am deeply into. Evaluation and development of the porosity (connected and/or not-connected) of aggregates containing fluids, their permeability and the grain size distributions of the forming particles are all subjects to which I have dedicated a fair amount of time during my Ph.D. research. I would be glad to investigate in further detail this topic and expand my knowledge, i.e. studying more types of solid-fluid systems.
Out of the pure academic field, I am interested in phase petrology and thermodynamic of cement making and ceramic making chemical systems CAS (CaO-Al2O3-SiO2) and MAS (MgO-Al2O3-SiO2), also with addiction of other chemical compounds (e.g. FeO, Fe2O3, SO2).
My collaboration with Dr. Alan Anderson aim also to refine pressure calibration and oxygen fugacity determination in Hydrothermal Diamond Anvil Cell experimentation.
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