Barry Bickmore Research
Overview
I have focused my research in three areas: geochemistry, mineralogy/structural chemistry, and geoscience education.
Geochemistry: Chemical reactions between minerals and aqueous solutions happen at the mineral-fluid interface, a tiny region where solution properties are quite different than in the bulk fluid, and solid properties are quite different than in the bulk mineral structure. However, although this interface is where all the action is, chemically speaking, prior to the last two decades the tools to study such surface processes were comparatively primitive. In most cases chemists were limited to examining changes in solution chemistry and explaining these changes in terms of some assumed surface process (e.g. adsorption, precipitation, etc.) Recent advances in theory and instrumentation are now allowing researchers to more directly probe mineral surfaces, allowing us to gain a more complete and accurate picture of mineral-fluid interactions. In my case, I am interested in studying how mineral surface atomic structure and composition affect reactivity. I use Atomic Force Microscopy, Force Spectroscopy, and other surface sensitive techniques to achieve this goal, as well as more traditional wet-chemical methods. I also use ab initio molecular structure calculations to help explain experimental results.
Mineralogy/Structural Chemistry: My group is currently involved in a multi-year project to expand the bond-valence model (BVM) into something that can predict full structures, and be easily transferable to a molecular mechanics framework. The molecular mechanics force fields we are designing should be fully reactive, and involve a minimal number of adjustable parametrs. My group is working on a wiki training website that explains the rationale for the work.
Geoscience Education: I used to teach an Earth Science class for Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education majors, and I felr it is imperative that these students learn to love and have an adequate knowledge of science, so that they can pass these on to young children. My research in this area has focused on accomplishing these goals using innovative methods such as service-learning and creative writing projects, as well as experimenting with methods for teaching the nature of science.
In addition, I sometimes dabble in some other kinds of research. For instance, I have published a couple papers on measuring microfriction on clays and slickensides using AFM force spectroscopy. I also have a couple papers in press that have to do with climate and climate change.
