I've been at the University some 26 years and during this time have been involved in a wide range of studies. Broadly speaking, I apply mineralogy and crystallography, sensu lato, to answer basic questions dealing with natural and synthetic materials. Nearly all these studies have involved the application of instrumental techniques.

Beginning with the returned lunar sample program in 1971, extraterrestrial materials have been a continuing interest. The main theme of this work has been to use minor and trace elements in minerals to deduce information about their history. Particular emphasis has been placed on olivine and feldspar. Analysis techniques have included electron, ion and X-ray microprobes and funding is received from NASA.

For the last ten years I have worked with several companies which manufacture lead acid batteries which find application in a wide range of products including portable appliances, automobiles, and submarines. Recent legislative incentives have spurred research into their application for electric vehicles and as a result I have been funded by the Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium to conduct novel experiments to document changes within battery materials (synthetic minerals) as a function of charging techniques. I have organized a group consisting of battery manufacturers, scientists at Argonne National Laboratory, The University of Chicago, and CSIRO (Australia) to provide a wide range of expertise. Basically this involves construction of experimental batteries and continuous monitoring using in-situ neutron diffraction over the lifetime of the battery. Parallel studies will evaluate changes in batteries used in test vehicles in Canada using very high resolution SEM and TEM instruments.

Basic crystallography continues with the structure solution of a number of important phases mostly related to battery materials. These all contain lead which forms a fascinating range of compounds, many containing sulfate, carbonate, phosphate, silicate and hydroxide units. We have solved both tribasic and tetrabasic lead sulfate structures and are now working on other minor battery phases including hydrocerussite and plumbonacrite. Because synthetic phases are notoriously fine-grained, a project has been initiated examining the natural formed lead compounds at Leadhills-Wanlockhead, Scotland. Fine examples of hydrocerussite and other lead carbonate species have been obtained. Some of these lead compounds have tremendous commercial use; for example, basic lead carbonates are used to stabilize PVC (poly vinyl chloride) against degradation by UV radiation and the expanded use of plastics in high visibility products require improved stabilization. This requires a better understanding of how these lead compounds "work" and possibly more important "don't work". Crystal structural studies form the basis of this project.

The completion of the third generation synchrotron at Argonne National Laboratory provides a nearby intense source of focused X-rays. I am part of a group (Consortium for Advanced Radiation Sources) designing an x-ray microprobe incorporating both a EDS and WDS spectrometer. My particular scientific studies using this instrument will involve trace element analyses of mineral phases useful for mining and mineral exploration. Heavy mineral separates, mainly garnet, chromite, and ilmenite, are useful for diamond exploration and particular concentrations of minor elements suggest that diamonds may have co-existed with these phases and point to mining potential. Likewise, gold concentrations in sulfides is of particular interest in benefaction methods. Both these applications require a low level, small area analysis technique such as the X-ray fluorescence microprobe.

Other interests include mineralogy of archeological artifacts in cooperation with anthropologists and archeologists, application of cathodoluminescence to natural and synthetic samples, teaching analytical techniques, and maintaining a well functioning electron microprobe laboratory.