Mineral Physics Institute Summer Scholars Program

Richard Triplett Delaware State University Major: Physics / Math Mentors: Gabriel Gwanmesia and Robert Liebermann

Summer Project Description:

This summer I am conducting research into the elastic properties of the Pyrope-Majorite solid solution of garnets.
These garnets make up a large portion of the middle and upper regions of the earth's mantle, and as such
knowing more about them leads us to greater understanding of the interior workings of the earth.
Using hot-pressing techniques, Dr. Gwanmesia has synthesized polycrystalline specimens of Py100, Py60Mj40, Py50Mj50,
Py40Mj60, and Py20Mj80 garnet. Experimentation upon all but the last has already been completed, and my first week
here was spent at Brookhaven National Laboratory collecting ultrasonic and x-radiographic data from the Py20Mj80 garnet.
My primary project goal for the summer is to reduce/fit the data from that run and determine how elasticity changes as one
moves from one end of the solid solution to the other. Other goals include reading papers to allow me to understand the work
others are doing in high-pressure/high-temperature mineral physics and learning more about geology/geophysics in general.