A. To reach Higher pressures The maximum pressure range so far explored is limited. For a DDIA, deformation experiments have been performed only to ~10 GPa (to ~1600 K), and for a RDA to ~18 GPa (at ~1800 K). In order to investigate the whole mantle rheology including the lower mantle by laboratory experiments, we need to extend the pressure range to ~25-30 GPa (and to temperature of ~2000 K) (conditions at ~700-900 km in Earth’s mantle). See details....

B. Sample assembly design In addition to the need for improved anvil design, we will explore various modifications of sample assembly designs. Design of a sample assembly including the gasket is critical to achieve (homogenous) high pressure and temperature. See details ....

C. Higher resolution in stress measurement We have set a goal of 10 MPa for the precision of the stress measurements. See details...

D. Control of grain size & Control of chemical environment See details...

E. Inversion of x-ray diffraction data for macroscopic stress estimate The development of x-ray diffraction technique has allowed us to explore the details of polycrystal deformation as summarized before. These studies provided, for the first time, a means of inferring the nature of stress distribution in a polycrystalline (and a multi-phase) material. However, these studies have also highlighted a need for a better understanding of stress-strain distribution in a deforming material in order to obtain a macroscopic stress from the x-ray diffraction of individual diffraction peaks.See details...

F. Automation and real-time creep software See details...