Applying geochemistry to solve environmental problems
We are working to develop a number of different engineered geomaterials that can be used for environmental remediation applications. One broad class of inquiry is focused on mineral carbonation of a specific class of silicates. The ways in which these materials dissolve and then recombine can lead to intersting products in a number of applications like advanced cements. A second broad class of inquiry is focused on engineered clay minerals that can be used to mitigate leakage of light chain hydrocarbons. There is an urgent need to develop technologies that can be used to clean up legacy emissions from fossil fuel activities and our ideas could help create new approaches to solving these problems.