John B. Parise

Professor of Geosciences & Chemistry

B.Sc., James Cook University, 1977
Ph.D., James Cook University, 1981
Lecturer, University of Sydney, 1986-87
Visiting Scientist, E.I. DuPont, 1981-83, 1988-89
Faculty member at Stony Brook since 1989

Office: ESS 238
Office Phone: (631) 632-8196
Fax: (631) 632-8240 E-mail: john (dot) parise (at) stonybrook (dot) edu

Geosciences Department Faculty Page
Chemistry Department Faculty Page

Parise's Crystallography Group Website
Full List of Publications

Research Interests

Professor Parise is a mineralogist and solid state chemist interested in Earth materials materials synthesis and the determination of atomic arrangements in condensed matter. The Parise group maintains an eclectic mix of projects, tied together by one guiding principle: We care about where the atoms are, and where they end up after changes in environmental conditions. No matter what the particular composition of the condensed matter its functionality is dependent on where the atoms are and where they end up after they respond to changes in P, T, Eh, pH, etc) - think graphite - diamond, Ice - water, DNA to remind yourselves of the fundamental need to determine where the atoms are under the operating conditions of interest. With that appreciation, the tools developed to study the mineralogy and reactivity in extreme Earth environments are often applicable to technologically interesting materials and materials in extra-terrestrial environments.

In order to determine atomic level information under a material's "operating conditions" the group collaborates with researchers nationally and internationally at X-ray synchrotron and neutron sources and has developed a number of environmental cells for work at these facilities. Stony Brook is only 20 minutes from the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) where much of this work is carried out. Among the techniques utilized at Stony Brook and BNL are single-crystal and powder X-ray, neutron and electron diffraction, and X-ray absorption (EXAFS and XANES).

The group places a strong emphasis on synthesis and students make the samples they later characterize. With the development of state-of-the-art diffraction facilities and high-pressure, high-temperature synthetic apparatus at Stony Brook and Brookhaven National Laboratory, unique opportunities exist for Stony Brook scientists to become involved in synthesis and characterization experiments.

The structures of minerals and synthetic materials dictate their properties. These properties in turn determine the state of the materials (rocks) which constitute the planets. While the structures of many of the crustal rock forming minerals are known, the structures and properties of those materials stable in the Earth's interior still require study. With the advent of bright and reliable sources of X-rays and neutrons in situ studies at the pressures and temperatures approaching those in planetary interiors in now possible. Parise's group uses diffraction at national and international laboratories to determine structure and properties of relevant materials at high pressures.

Selected Publications

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