Shock Value - Electrical Phenomena in Charge of Ore Formation. This project aims to investigate how the formation of valuable and critical minerals is enabled by natural voltages generated by quartz,

Description

Shock Value - Electrical Phenomena in Charge of Ore Formation. This project aims to investigate how the formation of valuable and critical minerals is enabled by natural voltages generated by quartz, a piezoelectric mineral that produces an electric charge when stressed. This project expects to generate new knowledge concerning ore deposit formation, thereby enabling more efficient mineral exploration. Expected outcomes of the project include establishing core principles regarding the geological significance of piezoelectricity, with implications for metal cycling and hydrogen generation in Earth’s crust. This should provide significant benefits, such as aiding the discovery of new deposits of valuable and critical minerals, as well as hydrogen reservoirs, a crucial clean energy source.. Scheme: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Field: 3703 - Geochemistry. Lead: Dr Christopher Voisey