This Project Grant award of $376,781.00 from the National Science Foundation's Geosciences Program (CFDA 47.050) will support research at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to investigate the behavior of moderately volatile elements during silicate evaporation. The study will focus on understanding the volatility and activity of trace elements like alkali metals, transition metals, and sulfur-loving elements in silicate melts. This research aims to improve models for predicting the volatility of these elements, which is key to understanding Earth's formation and the origins of its atmosphere, oceans, and potentially even life. The project will also create an educational module on element behavior in nature and update the tektite display at UCLA's meteorite museum to share research findings with the public. This award reflects NSF's mission to expand fundamental scientific knowledge and further the national interest in science and technology.
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