Applied mineralogy
The Applied Mineralogy is that part of the field of mineralogy which mineralogical with the use of knowledge to other scientific disciplines concerned.
research object
Applied mineralogy is about harnessing certain properties of minerals . In many cases the goal is a technical application such as B. the use of the layer structure of molybdenite for its application as a lubricant . However, applied mineralogy goes far beyond technical mineralogy : Defects in the crystal lattice of quartz can be used to date archaeological finds ( thermoluminescence dating ). From the mineralogical composition and the structure of prehistoric and ancient ceramics , glasses or building materials , conclusions can be drawn about their production method and thus about the technological level of development of a civilization. Knowing that certain minerals often coexist can be important for the exploration and prospecting of deposits . Phase diagrams , solubilities and sorption abilities of minerals play an important role in environmental protection and medicine .
Investigation methods
The Applied Mineralogy uses for the raw material evaluation methods such as polarized light microscopy to obtain information about the structure, the X-ray diffraction to determine the mineral composition and the X-ray fluorescence analysis to raw materials chemically characterize. Process control is carried out using thermal analysis methods such as B. differential thermal analysis , dynamic differential calorimetry or thermogravimetry to observe reactions in the production process. Products are z. B. examined with the transmission electron microscopy to identify defects in their crystal lattice and evaluate. In the Archäometrie play luminescence an important role in the economic geology various forms of will spectroscopy in the context of remote sensing used (eg. As the Mössbauer spectroscopy ). These processes also play a major role in environmental mineralogy (e.g. X-ray absorption spectroscopy ) in order to observe processes on surfaces .
Sub-areas
literature
Rammlmair, D. (Ed.) (2000): Applied Mineralogy. In Research, Economy, Technology, Ecology and Culture: Proceedings of the 6th International Congress ICAM 2000, Göttingen, July 13-21, 2000. ISBN 978-90-5809-163-5
Götze, J. & Göbbels, M. (2017): Introduction to Applied Mineralogy. Jumper. ISBN 978-3-662-50265-5 .