EAGER: Development of a new rock deformation apparatus for investigating Earth's upper mantle

这个EAGER项目将进行一种新的岩石变形装置的初步设计和开发。该装置的目的是研究地球岩石圈和软流层上部地幔在压力和温度下的微观结构和流变现象。由于岩石变形仪器并不容易在商业基础上获得，因此通过EAGER程序获得的资金将支持新仪器的探索阶段设计。一种新的岩石变形装置的发展将在许多方面使地球科学界受益。该设备将针对一个关键的和未充分研究的变形条件范围进行优化，这将为对地球上地幔和其他类地行星内部性质的新研究打开大门。这个项目将有助于一个早期职业科学家的发展；考虑到岩石变形群落的规模很小，这种支持是必不可少的。PI实验室的学生和博士后研究人员将有重要的教育机会，因为他们将参与新仪器的设计，校准和实施的所有阶段。这种参与将促进他们作为独立科学家的发展，因为他们了解了他们研究背后的一些基础和假设。新装置的设计将向公众公开，其构造细节将通过互联网传播。获得这些设计将有利于早期职业科学家和成熟的研究人员规划他们的第一个实验室或扩大现有的实验室。

This EAGER project will perform the initial design and development of a new rock deformation apparatus. The purpose of this apparatus is to study microstructural and rheological phenomena at the pressures and temperatures of Earth's lithosphere and upper asthenospheric mantle. As rock deformation apparatus are not readily available on a commercial basis, funding through the EAGER process will support the exploratory stage design of the new apparatus.The development of a new rock deformation apparatus will benefit the earth sciences community in a number of ways. The apparatus will be optimized for a critical and under-investigated range of deformation conditions, which will open doors for new research into the nature of Earth's upper mantle and the interiors of other terrestrial planets. This project will assist the development of an early-career scientist; support of this kind is essential given the small size of the rock deformation community. Educational opportunities for students and postdoctoral researchers in the PI's lab will be significant, as they will participate in all phases of the design, calibration, and implementation of the new apparatus. This participation will enhance their development as independent scientists, as they learn about some of the underpinnings and assumptions behind their research. The design of the new apparatus will be made publically available, and the details of its construction will be disseminated via the Internet. Access to these designs will benefit early-career scientists and established researchers as they plan their first labs or expand existing labs.