NSF Org:	EAR Division Of Earth Sciences
Recipient:	UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SYSTEM
Initial Amendment Date:	February 22, 1999
Latest Amendment Date:	February 22, 1999
Award Number:	9814333
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Glen S. Mattioli EAR  Division Of Earth Sciences GEO  Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date:	February 15, 1999
End Date:	January 31, 2003 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$249,998.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$249,998.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 1999 = $249,998.00
History of Investigator:	Jillian Banfield (Principal Investigator) jbanfield@berkeley.edu Hengzhong Zhang (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	University of Wisconsin-Madison 21 N PARK ST STE 6301 MADISON WI  US  53715-1218 (608)262-3822
Sponsor Congressional District:	02
Primary Place of Performance:	University of Wisconsin-Madison 21 N PARK ST STE 6301 MADISON WI  US  53715-1218
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	02
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	LCLSJAGTNZQ7
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s):	Petrology and Geochemistry
Primary Program Source:	app-0199
Program Reference Code(s):	0000, OTHR
Program Element Code(s):	157300
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.050

ABSTRACT

9814333
Banfield
This research will explore how crystals of nanometer dimensions (nanocrystals) grow, and how rates and mechanisms of subsequent reactions are affected by particle size. Nanocrystalline materials are products of chemical weathering and microbial biomineralization and account for much of the reactive surface area in weathered rocks, soils, and sediments. The modified stability and reactivity of nanocrystals is also of significance to materials science. Recent experimental work on coarsening of nanocrystalline materials has revealed that under a subset of conditions, particles grow by crystallographically oriented attachment. This largely unrecognized mechanism involves reduction in surface energy by direct elimination of surfaces. Research will examine the importance of coarsening by oriented attachment in nature and will quantify the effects of this mechanism on reaction kinetics. Experimental work will continue to use the convenient and important TiO2 system and characterization studies will primarily involve high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The product of this work will be new understanding of kinetics in the nanocrystalline size domain.

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