Current topics
0. Define the
evolution of the microstructure of silicate-melt and silicate-metal
melt aggregates down to the grain boundary scale for static and dynamic
annealing conditions. This study is a collaboration with Dr. Saswata
Hier-Majumder (Royal Holloway), and Prof. David Kohlstedt (University
of Minnesota).
1. Define the source of Cu deposits from key localities across southern Ireland. Central to this is determining whether there is a genetic link between the well-known Cu deposits of SW Ireland and those of the southern sector of the Irish Midland Orefield.
2. Determine how pallasite meteorites material formed in the interior of small terrestrial planetesimals at the onset of the solar system. The study is a collaboration with Prof. Golabek and Dr. Marcel Thielmann (BGI Bayreuth), and (informally) with Dr. Nico Walte (BGI and DESY).
More Research Interests
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.
Bubble nucleation, growth, and coalescence in rhyolite and dacite magmas observed via in-situ experimentation with a Hydrothermal Diamond Anvil Cell. This study is a collaboration with Earth Sciences Department by University of Bristol (UK).
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.