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| Figure 1. Efficiency of removal scenarios involving recent data collected by LMDR. |
Not only are more experiments needed to determine the efficiencies of removal in basalts under various experimental conditions, but more work is required to understand different volcanic rock compositions, such as rhyolites and andesites. Therefore, more financial assistance is required to supply our lab with platinum, gold, and indium which is used in each of our experiments.
Once this work is complete, we will better understand the conditions under which an indium-bearing ore-forming fluid might form. However, this does not describe deposition of the indium being transported in the ore-forming fluid. Indium, is mostly mined as a byproduct in zinc mining of sphalerite. Therefore, I propose work be done to constrain the partitioning of indium in sphalerite (ZnS) under hydrothermal conditions in order to determine the ideal conditions at which a Zn-In deposit might form.
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| Figure 2. Sphalerite ore with chalcopyrite (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jsjgeology/18844045435). |
Good presentation, it was very straightforward. I would emphasize why we care about indium and its importance to society in general.
ReplyDeletegood idea. the relationship to the other work being performed in your lab is definitely a selling point.
ReplyDeleteOne important thing to keep in mind is that you should emphasize what's new. You may have trouble getting funding for something that's already been funded once.
ReplyDeleteI think NSF would say "well why couldn't you finish your work on your current grant?" Can you find a way to make this project unique from the one you're currently funded under? How is creating sphalerite different than your current work, and why does it have to be done experimentally?
ReplyDeleteWhy is it important to measure indium in other materials (andesite, rhyolite, etc.)?
ReplyDeleteHow will you ensure that you will generate sphalerite? If I'm not mistaken, it is difficult to generate specific minerals during experiments.
How representative of natural systems will mixing Zn, S, In and HCl together in a capsule be? Where does the Zn come from in nature? The fluid or the rock?
Nice talk. You started out talking about cost, without introducing the topic for your NSF work. I'd recommend talking about the project before cost.
ReplyDeleteStart with the science and its importance, not the cost. A continuation of an on-going project to understand In ores. Need to demonstrate feasibility before any panel is going to fund a project no matter how intriguing it might be.
ReplyDeleteGreat presentation. I agree with previous comments that it is important to demonstrate why your research is important and deserve the fund,
ReplyDeleteI liked your presentation, and I think that my critiques were covered in the questions. It's a good starting point-- It just needs a little padding in potential outcomes and mitigation of potential setbacks. I like your idea of doing the additional experiment with existing sphalerite crystals as a sort of "control" experiment. If Indium is recovered as a byproduct of sphalerite mining, is it present in any other constituent minerals that occur in the same assemblages?
ReplyDeleteGood presentation. Maybe you can do some preliminary experiments to prove the feasibility of your proposal.
ReplyDeleteI think you meant "continuation" in the first sentence. You use however and therefore at the start of your sentences. I would suggest varying or removing it wherever possible. Ditto for me on why this is important.
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