Yingwei Fei

Abstract Perovskite-structured silicates are key minerals of Earth’s lower mantle and have also been identified in shocked meteorites as the (Mg,Fe)SiO3-perovskite phase, bridgmanite. In contrast, CaSiO3-perovskite (davemaoite) has never been found in meteorites and is known only from rare inclusions in deep-mantle diamonds.

Abstract Seismic and magnetotelluric studies suggest hydrous silicate melts atop the 410 km discontinuity form 30–100 km thick layers. Importantly, in some regions, two layers are observed. These stagnant layers are related to their comparable density to the surrounding mantle, but their formation mechanisms and detailed structures remain unclear.

Researchers at Carnegie Science have developed an ultrahard diamond glass. Made entirely of crushed “soccerballs” of carbon, the new material also has high thermal conductivity and could find use in electronics. Carbon is a versatile element, forming many stable structures in a variety of atomic arrangements, from graphene to diamond.