Speaker

Alexander Goncharov

Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington

Date＆Time

2019.09.30（Mon）AM 9:30

Location

Aoqing Tang Building, C603

Abstract

A major focus of the field of Chemistry is the prediction as to how various atoms form bonds, and how such bonding controls the structure and properties of matter. The majority of matter in the Universe resides at extreme pressures and temperatures (P-T) that force atoms into extremely close contact, where very exotic compounds can become stable. Theoretical first principles calculations and laboratory experiments at extreme P-T conditions address this problem. I will present experiments at extreme pressures up to 280 GPa that include recent discoveries of unusual “salts” (KCl3 and XeFe3), stable compounds with noble gasses (Na2He), polyhydrides of Na, U, and S, and N-H polymers among others. These exotic materials hold a promise of potentially unparalleled physical and chemical properties such as high-temperature superconductivity, super-hardness, energy storage capacity, and others. Many of these newly discovered extreme materials are likely to be present in the interiors of the planets.