GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES AT BROWN UNIVERSITY
Mineralogy

The mechanisms and kinetics of mineralogical processes on a microscopic scale give insight into large scale geological processes. Experimental samples, subjected to desired temperature, pressure, and chemical conditions, are analyzed by a combination of optical, x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and chemical-isotopic methods. Current interests include grain boundary transport mechanisms and effects of crystal growth and interrelations of mineral deformation and kinetics during metamorphism. The latter involves collaborative studies with Prof. Jan Tullis (structural geology).