Prof. Alexandra Navrotsky of DCO's Extreme Physics and Community has developed a levitation technique for measuring thermodynamic properties under extreme conditions. According to Navrotsky, "Thermodynamic properties and melting relations of oxides at high temperature are essential for modeling phase equilibria in the Earth’s deep interior. Because of their role as geochemical and isotopic tracers, the rare earths are especially important."
VIDEO: Chemistry pioneer sets her sights on rare earth oxides
Navrotsky and her team at the University of California, Davis, (moving to Arizona State University) have invented an instrument to study high temperature materials, including rare earth oxides.
Further Reading

DCO Highlights
Video: Above and Beyond
Film maker Zach Voss of Retroscope Media accompanied the ABOVE science team to document what it’s…

DCO Highlights
Video: A Decade of Discovery
A stunning three-minute video captures the excitement, difficulties, and physical challenges of…

DCO Highlights
Animation: Quantities, Movements, Forms, and Origins of Deep Carbon
How much carbon is in Earth’s interior? Where did it come from? What does it look like? And how…

DCO Highlights
VIDEO: Karen Lloyd Delivers TED Talk on the Distribution and Role of Deep Subsurface Microbes
Microbiologist Karen Lloyd takes us on a trip to the volcanoes and hot springs of Costa Rica,…