Biogeochemistry of Earth Processes

Research Focus

Our Focus:
Mechanistic studies of biomineralization; kinetics and thermodynamics of mineral nucleation and growth and dissolution; nonclassical mineralization involving amorphous intermediates; interplay of chemical driving force and surface energy in mineral/water reactions; mechanisms and energy barriers to mineral nucleation and growth onto inorganic and biomolecule-functionalized substrates.

Systems:

Studies emphasize a fundamental understanding of the amorphous and crystalline forms of silica and the calcium carbonates. The SiO2 and CaCO3 polymorphs comprise the largest groups of biologically and geologically formed earth materials. Owing to their different mineral chemistries and bonding, each presents unique properties and challenges to understanding earth environments.

Applications:
Fundamental research into the chemical and physical processes of mineral formation and dissolution is a rich scientific area in the earth, materials, medical, and engineering disciplines. Current projects are investigating forefront questions in problems related to biomineralization, cementation, chemical weathering, paleoproxy models, geothermal/petroleum energy, metal and biomolecule interactions with minerals.

Methods:
We use a variety of experimental methods to quantify the kinetics and thermodynamics of reactions at interfaces and in solution. . Techniques include in situ Atomic Force Microscopy, several types of mixed flow reactors and a number of the new facilities at the new VT NCFL which includes state-of-art SEM, TEM, and SIMS. In collaborations with Jerry Gibbs, we also conduct ab initio molecular orbital calculations and MD simulations to study bonded interactions and chemical reactivity.