Scientific Career
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- University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
B.Sc. in Physics (1966) Diploma in Education (1967). - University of London, Birkbeck College
B.Sc. (Hons) in Geology (1973)
- University of Cambridge Ph. D. (1976)
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Positions held
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- October 1976 - October 1979. Natural Environment Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, University of Cambridge.
- October 1979 - October 1981. Senior Research Associate, Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, University of Cambridge
- October 1981 - September 1995. Lecturer in Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge. Fellow, Churchill College, Cambridge. College Lecturer and Tutor (1983-1992), Admissions Tutor (1993-1994) Senior Tutor (1994 - 1995 )
- October 1995 - Professor of General and Applied Mineralogy, Institut für Mineralogie, Universtität Münster, Germany
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Research & Teaching
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Research Interests
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I have two main areas of research:
Phase transformations in minerals (including displacive transformations, order-disorder transformations, and exsolution), with particular reference to the evolution of the microstructure, as studied by transmission electron microscopy (see ICEM) as well as the characterization of structural changes by diffraction and spectroscopic methods. Computational methods and statistical thermodynamic modelling are being used to determine the thermodynamic properties of solid solutions with different degrees of short and long range order.
Mineral Surface Science, which broadly covers the fields of crystal growth and dissolution processes and the role of organic and inorganic additives. We have two atomic force microscopes equiped to study these processes in situ in fluid cells, as well as carrying out macroscopic growth and dissolution experiments.
These two areas (the first, essentially ‘solid state’, the second, essentially mineral-fluid interaction) come together in the more general question of how minerals equilibrate in the presence of a fluid phase. Specifically, we are interested in the relative roles of volume diffusion and coupled dissolution-reprecipitation processes in mineral replacement.
I am a participant in three European Union network projects:
Mechanisms of Mineral Replacement Reactions Initial Training Network (Delta-MIN). The research themes of Delta-MIN relate to the mechanisms of mineral reequilibration (phase transformation) in the presence of a fluid phase and will be investigated in a wide range of minerals and rocks, under a range of chemical and physical conditions, using both natural and experimental samples. The principles of interface-coupled dissolution-reprecipitation will be applied to investigate the mechanisms of processes important in earth sciences and in industry, including metasomatic reactions in rocks, chemical weathering, mechanisms in CO2 sequestration, the aqueous durability of nuclear waste materials, remediation of contaminated water by mineral reaction, and the preservation of stone-based cultural heritage. The research methods bring together a range of complementary expertise, from field-related studies to nano-scale investigations of reaction interfaces using state-of-the-art high resolution analytical methods. The application of fundamental principles of mineral reequilibration to a wide range of applications, together with industrial involvement at all levels will ensure that the project provides a strong platform for training. For further information see: www.delta-min.com.
Mineral Nucleation and Growth Kinetics Research Training Network (MIN-GRO). This Training Network involves both post-doctoral and doctoral researchers in the study of mainly carbonate-fluid systems. The investigations of carbonate minerals will help us better understand how crystal nucleation and growth are modelled, and will provide basic knowledge to support technological advances in the areas including CO2 sequestration, groundwater treatment, waste management and storage, enhanced oil recovery from chalk reservoirsand the manufacture of more functional materials for paper, paint, pigment, and pharmaceuticals. For further information see: www.min-gro.com.
Mineral-Fluid Interface Reactivity Early Stage Training Network (MIR). The aim of the Network is to provide state-of-the-art training and professional development to young scientists in the field of mineral-fluid reactivity. Research projects are focussed on mineral-fluid reactions, including dissolution, absorption, nucleation, precipitation, and mineral replacement mechanisms. For further information see: www.mir-est.com.
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Teaching
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A selection of lectures I have held (from 1995):
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- Baumaterial der Erde
- Angewandte Geowissenschaften
- Gesteine, Minerale, Fluide
- Intrakristalline Prozesse in Mineralen (I+II)
- Kristallchemie gesteinsbildender Minerale
- Übungen zu Gesteinsbildende Minerale
- Mineralogie
- Analytische Methoden
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Publications
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Books
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- Putnis A. and McConnell J.D.C. Principles of Mineral Behaviour 258pp. Blackwell Scientific Publications. Oxford. 1980
- Putnis A. Introduction to Mineral Sciences 460pp Cambridge University Press. Cambridge 1992
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 Reviewed Articles
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Links & Downloads
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