Robert T. Downs
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View article: PCBoom 7 Technical Reference, 2nd Edition
PCBoom 7 Technical Reference, 2nd Edition Open
PCBoom is a suite of sonic boom propagation programs that applies full three-dimensional ray tracing based on geometrical acoustics. It predicts sonic boom ground waveforms and footprints from supersonic flight vehicles performing arbitrar…
View article: On the nature and distribution of mineral-forming ions: A mineral informatics approach
On the nature and distribution of mineral-forming ions: A mineral informatics approach Open
Minerals incorporate 72 different essential elements, many of which are redox sensitive. We compiled oxidation states of ions in 4834 IMA-approved mineral species with oxygen and/or halogens as anions and have identified 87 essential miner…
View article: Edwindavisite, Cu(C<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>)(NH<sub>3</sub>), a new oxalate mineral, from the Rowley mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA
Edwindavisite, Cu(C<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>)(NH<sub>3</sub>), a new oxalate mineral, from the Rowley mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA Open
View article: Reply to ‘Experimental measurement of assembly indices are required to determine the threshold for life’
Reply to ‘Experimental measurement of assembly indices are required to determine the threshold for life’ Open
We clarify misunderstandings of Walker et al. (Walker et al. 2024 J. R. Soc. Interface 21, 20240367 (doi:10.1098/rsif.2024.0367)) related to studies of the assembly pathways of molecular subunits in minerals. The finding that these subunit…
View article: Gypsum on Mars: A Detailed View at Gale Crater
Gypsum on Mars: A Detailed View at Gale Crater Open
Gypsum is a common mineral at Gale crater on Mars, currently being explored by the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover, Curiosity. In this paper, we summarize the associations of gypsum with other sulfate minerals (bassanite, anhydrite, ja…
View article: Expanded Insights into Martian Mineralogy: Updated Analysis of Gale Crater’s Mineral Composition via CheMin Crystal Chemical Investigations
Expanded Insights into Martian Mineralogy: Updated Analysis of Gale Crater’s Mineral Composition via CheMin Crystal Chemical Investigations Open
This study presents mineral composition estimates of rock and sediment samples analyzed with the CheMin X-ray diffraction instrument on board the NASA Mars Science Laboratory rover, Curiosity, in Gale crater, Mars. Mineral composition is e…
View article: The Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) X-ray Diffractometer on the MSL Curiosity Rover: A Decade of Mineralogy from Gale Crater, Mars
The Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) X-ray Diffractometer on the MSL Curiosity Rover: A Decade of Mineralogy from Gale Crater, Mars Open
For more than a decade, the CheMin X-ray diffraction instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory rover, Curiosity, has been returning definitive and quantitative mineralogical and mineral–chemistry data from ~3.5-billion-year-old (Ga) sedime…
View article: Eddavidite, Cu12Pb2O15Br2, a New Mineral Species, and Its Solid Solution with Murdochite, Cu12Pb2O15Cl2
Eddavidite, Cu12Pb2O15Br2, a New Mineral Species, and Its Solid Solution with Murdochite, Cu12Pb2O15Cl2 Open
Eddavidite is a new mineral species (IMA2018-010) with ideal formula, Cu12Pb2O15Br2, and cubic Fm3¯m symmetry: a = 9.2407(9) Å; V = 789.1(2) Å3; Z = 2. Eddavidite is the bromine analog of murdochite, Cu12Pb2O15Cl2, with which it forms a so…
View article: Dehydration kinetics of nanoconfined water in beryl probed by high temperature single crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction
Dehydration kinetics of nanoconfined water in beryl probed by high temperature single crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction Open
View article: Molecular assembly indices of mineral heteropolyanions: some abiotic molecules are as complex as large biomolecules
Molecular assembly indices of mineral heteropolyanions: some abiotic molecules are as complex as large biomolecules Open
Molecular assembly indices, which measure the number of unique sequential steps theoretically required to construct a three-dimensional molecule from its constituent atomic bonds, have been proposed as potential biosignatures. A central hy…
View article: Heavy Liquid Separation Method for Enhancement of Trace Asbestos Detection
Heavy Liquid Separation Method for Enhancement of Trace Asbestos Detection Open
Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a widely accepted technique for detecting trace asbestos content in solid samples. However, accurately quantifying asbestos concentrations below 0.5 wt% presents significant challenges with XRD alone. To a…
View article: Astrobiological applications of μ-mapping X-ray fluorescence spectrometry
Astrobiological applications of μ-mapping X-ray fluorescence spectrometry Open
In situ elemental imaging of planetary surface regolith at a spatial resolution of 100s to 1000s of microns can provide evidence of the provenance of rocks or sediments and their habitability, and can identify post-depositional diagenetic …
View article: Mineralogical Investigation of Mg‐Sulfate at the Canaima Drill Site, Gale Crater, Mars
Mineralogical Investigation of Mg‐Sulfate at the Canaima Drill Site, Gale Crater, Mars Open
For the first time on Mars, the crystalline magnesium‐sulfate mineral starkeyite (MgSO 4 ‧4H 2 O) was definitively identified using the CheMin X‐ray diffraction instrument at Gale crater. At the Canaima drill site, starkeyite along with am…
View article: Manganese-Iron Phosphate Nodules at the Groken Site, Gale Crater, Mars
Manganese-Iron Phosphate Nodules at the Groken Site, Gale Crater, Mars Open
The MSL Curiosity rover investigated dark, Mn-P-enriched nodules in shallow lacustrine/fluvial sediments at the Groken site in Glen Torridon, Gale Crater, Mars. Applying all relevant information from the rover, the nodules are interpreted …
View article: Global Earth Mineral Inventory Data Dump
Global Earth Mineral Inventory Data Dump Open
Contains data dumps of various versions of the Global Earth Mineral Inventory (GEMI) - One of the Deep carbon observatory data legacies.
View article: Global Earth Mineral Inventory Data Dump
Global Earth Mineral Inventory Data Dump Open
Contains data dumps of various versions of the Global Earth Mineral Inventory (GEMI) - One of the Deep carbon observatory data legacies.
View article: Predicting new mineral occurrences and planetary analog environments via mineral association analysis
Predicting new mineral occurrences and planetary analog environments via mineral association analysis Open
The locations of minerals and mineral-forming environments, despite being of great scientific importance and economic interest, are often difficult to predict due to the complex nature of natural systems. In this work, we embrace the compl…
View article: Mikenewite, the natural analogue of synthetic α-Mn<sup>2+</sup>(S<sup>4+</sup>O<sub>3</sub>)⋅3H<sub>2</sub>O, a new sulfite mineral from the Ojuela mine, Mapimí, Mexico
Mikenewite, the natural analogue of synthetic α-Mn<sup>2+</sup>(S<sup>4+</sup>O<sub>3</sub>)⋅3H<sub>2</sub>O, a new sulfite mineral from the Ojuela mine, Mapimí, Mexico Open
A new mineral species, mikenewite (IMA2022-102), ideally Mn 2+ (S 4+ O 3 )⋅3H 2 O, has been discovered from the San Judas Chimney, Ojuela mine, Mapimí, Durango, Mexico. It occurs as spheres of platy crystals. Associated minerals include go…
View article: Mineral Association Analysis: Predicting unknown mineral occurrences and improving our understanding of mineralogy
Mineral Association Analysis: Predicting unknown mineral occurrences and improving our understanding of mineralogy Open
Minerals are the oldest surviving materials from the formation of our solar system. They are time capsules that store and provide information about the evolution of Earth and other planetary bodies. In addition to being a cornerstone of ge…
View article: What is mineral informatics?
What is mineral informatics? Open
Minerals are information-rich materials that offer researchers a glimpse into the evolution of planetary bodies. Thus, it is important to extract, analyze, and interpret this abundance of information to improve our understanding of the pla…
View article: Bernardevansite, Al<sub>2</sub>(Se<sup>4+</sup>O<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>⋅6H<sub>2</sub>O, dimorphous with alfredopetrovite and the Al-analogue of mandarinoite, from the El Dragón mine, Potosí, Bolivia
Bernardevansite, Al<sub>2</sub>(Se<sup>4+</sup>O<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>⋅6H<sub>2</sub>O, dimorphous with alfredopetrovite and the Al-analogue of mandarinoite, from the El Dragón mine, Potosí, Bolivia Open
A new mineral species, bernardevansite (IMA2022-057), ideally Al 2 (Se 4+ O 3 ) 3 ⋅6H 2 O, has been discovered from the El Dragón mine, Potosí Department, Bolivia. It occurs as aggregates or spheres of radiating bladed crystals on a matrix…
View article: Ensuring the Long-Term Scientific Value and Impact of Astromaterials Samples Data from Past, Present, and Future NASA Sample-Return Missions
Ensuring the Long-Term Scientific Value and Impact of Astromaterials Samples Data from Past, Present, and Future NASA Sample-Return Missions Open
View article: Franksousaite, PbCu(Se<sup>6+</sup>O<sub>4</sub>)(OH)<sub>2</sub>, the Se<sup>6+</sup> analogue of linarite, a new mineral from the El Dragón mine, Potosí, Bolivia
Franksousaite, PbCu(Se<sup>6+</sup>O<sub>4</sub>)(OH)<sub>2</sub>, the Se<sup>6+</sup> analogue of linarite, a new mineral from the El Dragón mine, Potosí, Bolivia Open
A new mineral species, franksousaite (IMA2021-096), ideally PbCu(Se 6+ O 4 )(OH) 2 , has been found from the El Dragón mine, Antonio Quijarro Province, Potosí Department, Bolivia. It occurs as short prismatic crystals included in colourles…
View article: What is Mineral Informatics?
What is Mineral Informatics? Open
Earth and Space Science Open Archive This preprint has been submitted to and is under consideration at American Mineralogist. ESSOAr is a venue for early communication or feedback before peer review. Data may be preliminary.Learn more abou…
View article: What is Mineral Informatics?
What is Mineral Informatics? Open
Earth and Space Science Open Archive This preprint has been submitted to and is under consideration at American Mineralogist. ESSOAr is a venue for early communication or feedback before peer review. Data may be preliminary.Learn more abou…
View article: Harvestable Metadata Services Use Case Reports
Harvestable Metadata Services Use Case Reports Open
This report describes seven metadata publishing use cases currently employed in World Data System member repositories. The use cases were collected during meetings of the Harvestable Metadata Services Working Group (sometimes referred to a…
View article: Ferrofettelite, [Ag<sub>6</sub>As<sub>2</sub>S<sub>7</sub>][Ag<sub>10</sub>FeAs<sub>2</sub>S<sub>8</sub>], a new sulfosalt from the Glasberg quarry, Odenwald, Germany
Ferrofettelite, [Ag<sub>6</sub>As<sub>2</sub>S<sub>7</sub>][Ag<sub>10</sub>FeAs<sub>2</sub>S<sub>8</sub>], a new sulfosalt from the Glasberg quarry, Odenwald, Germany Open
Ferrofettelite, ideally [Ag 6 As 2 S 7 ][Ag 10 FeAs 2 S 8 ], is a new mineral (IMA2021-094) from the Glasberg quarry, Nieder-Beerbach, Odenwald, south-western Germany. It occurs as anhedral to subhedral flakes and grains up to 80 μm, assoc…
View article: Life cycle assessment of self-healing products
Life cycle assessment of self-healing products Open
View article: Evidence for the oxidation of Earth’s crust from the evolution of manganese minerals
Evidence for the oxidation of Earth’s crust from the evolution of manganese minerals Open
View article: The Astromaterials Data System: Access and Preservation of Past, Present, and Future Data from Planetary Sample Analysis - New Developments
The Astromaterials Data System: Access and Preservation of Past, Present, and Future Data from Planetary Sample Analysis - New Developments Open