Field emission electron microscope
Experimental laboratory
Experimental laboratory
Analog laboratory: ash resuspension experiment in the wind tunnel
In recent decades, the rapid development of knowledge on technology and materials science has made it possible to build instruments capable of reproducing the environmental conditions that control the dynamics of chemical-physical processes inside and on the earth's surface. Among these processes, those relating to seismicity and magmatism-volcanism are of particular economic and social importance due to the number of victims and the extent of damage they cause.
In this context, the Laboratory for High Pressures and High Temperatures of Experimental Geophysics and Volcanology has been developed at the Rome 1 Section of the INGV.
The experimental study of petrological, geophysical and volcanological processes that occur inside and on the surface of the Earth is the objective of the Laboratory which has developed into two main sectors, microanalytical and experimental. The microanalytical sector is fundamental for the characterization of materials. It is equipped with an electron microprobe for the compositional study of geological and experimental materials and a field emission electron microscope for high resolution textural and morphometric analyses. The laboratory is available to a large number of both INGV and external researchers.
On average, 30 research proposals concerning the study of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and the properties of materials are developed every year. The experimental sector is made up of many apparatuses which have also partly been developed within the laboratory itself. The main applications concern (i) the study of the chemical-physical properties of magmas, (ii) the study of the physical properties of rocks and (iii) the analogical approach to the study of eruptive dynamics and fracture.
Both Italian and foreign researchers and technologists work in the laboratory and today it represents an international point of reference for experimental research in the geophysical and volcanological sector. Every year researchers from all over the world are hosted, while the training activity for students from Italian and foreign universities is guaranteed through internships, degree theses and research doctorates. Since 2004, the development of the Laboratory for High Pressures and High Temperatures has seen the implementation of numerous national and international projects which in some cases see the laboratory itself also involved as a host institution.
The High Pressure-High Temperature Laboratory of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology of Rome (hereafter HPHT Lab) is a multidisciplinary facility originally founded in 2002.
The HPHT Lab includes three areas of investigation: 1) experimental testing of natural and synthetic materials; 2) microanalytical and physical analyses; 3) analog experiments. Volcanology, petrology, mineralogy, seismology, and rock physics are the main, broad areas of research at the HPHT Lab.
Concerning the experimental investigations, research in magma evolution and rheology, and on mantle petrology are carried out with high-pressure and high-temperature apparatus, including furnaces, piston-cylinder, and multi-anvil devices, covering conditions from surface eruption of magma to middle mantle.
The frictional properties of faults and rocks are investigated under a wide range of slip rates and dynamics and under variable boundary conditions using unique rotary shear apparatus and large-scale bi-axial press. In addition, rock physics/mechanics studies, from rock permeability to fracturing and degassing can also be investigated with the above apparatus and with more classical devices.
The analytical facilities include a Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscope and an Electron Micro Probe Analyzer specifically tuned for natural rock analyses. Accessory to these are an helium pycnometer, particle size analyzer, sieves, and other basic instruments.
The analog investigations are carried out in a specific area where ad-hoc, temporary set-ups are developed. Analog materials are characterized using a rheometer, and the experiments are recorded and analyzed using a range of visual documentations, spanning from time-lapse cameras to high-definition and high-speed camcorders.
The analog laboratory focuses mostly on explosive volcanism and the related products and processes, including the formation and release of Taylor bubbles, pyroclast ejection during supersonic eruptions, and the sedimentation and aggregation of volcanic ash particles.
The HPHT Lab also hosts and develops new systems for the in-situ study of explosive volcanic eruptions by combining high-speed, high-definition imaging in the visible and thermal infrared wavelengths with acoustic recording. Investigated processes cover the ejection of volcanic ash and bombs, their setting and potential hazard, the sources of volcanic sound, and shifting styles of explosive volcanic activity.
The sharing of facilities and working space in between researchers with such a broad variety of backgrounds is a key component of the HPHT Lab, eventually leading to interdisciplinary exchange, facilitating the development of new projects, and ultimately promoting a stimulating research environment.
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TEAM
Stefano Aretusini | Contract Researcher
Emanuela Bagnato | Researcher
Riccardo Civico | Researcher
Chiara Cornelio | Contract Researcher
Gianfilippo De Astis | Senior Researcher
Elisabetta Del Bello | Researcher
Fabrizio Di Fiore | Contract Researcher
Giuseppe La Spina | Researcher
Valeria Misiti | Technologist
Manuela Nazzari | Researcher
Francesco Pennacchia | Contract Technician
Alessio Pontesilli | Contract Researcher
Giacomo Pozzi | Contract Researcher
Tullio Ricci | Researcher
Elena Spagnuolo | Researcher
Laura Spina | Researcher
Jacopo Taddeucci | Senior Researcher
Giancarlo Tamburello | Researcher
Piergiorgio Moschini | postdoc
FACILITIES
Multiple press 840 tons | Voggenreiter
Piston cylinder - 3/4” and 1” pressure plates | Voggenreiter
Multianvil - Walker type 6/8 | Voggenreiter
Quick Press - Piston Cylinder 3/4” and 1” pressure plates | Depth of the Earth
Bi-Tri-Axial Press (BRAVA) | RMP - ENG
Low to High Velocity Apparatus (SHIVA) | RMP - ENG
Electron microprobe equipped with 5 WDS and 1 EDS | JEOL JXA-8200
Field Emission Electron Microscope equipped with EBSD and STEM | Termofischer Scios 2 LV
Car Carbon Coater | JEOL JEC-530
Fine coater | JEOL JFC-2300HR
High and low temperature furnaces | lenton
Impedance analyzer | Solartron SI1260
Digital oscilloscope | Tektronix DPO4032
Wave generator | Agilent 33250A
H-Frame presses 10 ton | enerpac
Precision balance | Sartorius
Optical and stereo microscopes | Leica DMRXP and Euromex
Ultra-high velocity, intensified, gated digital camera | Cordin 204-2
Stereomicroscopes | Leica MZ9.5
Semi-automatic polisher | Buehler Minimet 1000
Power Supplies | Agilent 6575A
Helium Pycnometer | AccuPyc II 1340
Permeameter with double intensifier | Rock Physics
Rheometer MCR 301 Physics | Anton Parar
Vertical Furnace RHTV 120-300/18 | Nabertherm
High Temperature Furnace LHT 04/18 | Nabertherm
Cecchi data acquisition system | Applied Seismology
Rock drilling, cutting, and grinding equipment for sample preparation
Thermal High Speed Camera | FLIR SC645
Welder PUK U3 | Lampert
Laser line generator | Edmund optics
Precision test sieves | Endecotts
MGL-III Laser, 532nm 200mW, PSU-III-LED/Unit | Changchun New Industries
Multi-Wavelength Analyzer LUMiReader® PSA with Particle sizing according to ISO 13317
2 Polarized Free-field Microphones 40AN 1/2", Low Frequency (0.5Hz - 20kHz) | GRAS
Ext. Polarized Pressure Microphone 46DP-1 1/8", High Frequency (6.5Hz -140kHz) | GRAS
Pirani PVG-500 vacuum gauge
Petrographic microscope ECLIPSE E-50i POL | Nikon
Drying oven UF 75 | Memmert
4K digital camcorders | sony
High Speed digital camcorder HX6 | NAC Memrecam
Shock-tube apparatus (Jet-Buster) | INGV
High-speed digital camcorders | NAC 512 SC, Optronis CR600x2, NAC HX6, NAC HX3
Laser Range Finder | Vettronix VECTOR 21
Time Lapse Camera with 24-70 lens | Brinno TLC200 Pro
Precision Syringe Pumps | ISCO
Ash dispersal/settling apparatus (Ash-Buster) | INGV
Drone Matrice 300 RTK | DJI
Mavic 2 Pro Drone | DJI
Phantom 4 RTK Drone | DJI
Drone Mini 2 | DJI
Dual UV cameras 340 UVGE | Thorlabs
Laboratory sieve shaker Octagon 200 | Endecotts
Optical Profilometer Modus6ZS-3D | DeltaPIX
Triaxial ICP accelerometer | PCB PIezotronics
Two high frequency ICP pressure sensors | PCB PIezotronics
Three ceramic shear ICP accelerometers | PCB PIezotronics
Two 4-channel ICP sensor signal conditioners | PCB Piezonotrics
MEERA biaxial direct shear apparatus | INGV/TEES
High-temperature, vacuum, inert, and reactive gas furnace
Microdriller for experimental glasses | ARNOLD 561/01
Mortar grinder for experimental glasses | PULVERISETTE 23 FRITSCH
SKO-D XL Orbital Shaker | SKO
Centrifuge Neya 8 Basic | NEYA
DANTE I Carbolite Gero | Verder Scientific
SKATE (Setup for the Kinematic Acquisition of Explosive Eruptions) | INGV/TEES
FBG interrogator DM-8120 | HELD
RESEARCH PROJECTS
- National Recovery and Resilience Plan - Next Generation Europe Program: Monitoring Earth's Evolution and Tectonics Project MEET | WP 3 Integrated Laboratories for the Geosciences and the Environment ILGE | WP leaders P. Scarlato - F. Funiciello
- MIUR PRIN Project 2017 | Scales of solidification in magmas: applications to volcanic eruptions, silicate melts, glasses, glass-ceramics | PIM Carroll
- MIUR PRIN Project 2022 | TRIALS: an integrated PetRO-Volcanological monitoring approach applied to Mt. Etna and Stromboli - 2022N4FBAA | PIM Masotta
- MIUR PON | GRINT | PIG Puglisi
- European research project | EXCITE 2 'Electron and X-ray microscopy Community for structural and chemical Imaging Techniques for Earth materials' | PI Utrecht University
- European research project | Marie Sklodowska-Curie European Training Network IMPROVE, Innovative Multi-disciplinary European Research training network on VolcanoEs | Papal PIP
- INGV "Free research" Project | Magma dynamics triggering the 3 July and 28 August 2019 paroxysms at Stromboli volcano: A comparative approach based on the ascent rates, timescales and PT-H2O paths of magma | PIP Scarlet
- INGV "Free research" Project | FRAGMENTS, FRAgmentation of Mafic Magmas: ExteNt and TIming | PIJ Taddeucci
- INGV “Free research” Project | ROUGHER, expeRimental Observations aboUt irregular cHannel geometRies| GDP Plug
- INGV Departmental Strategic Projects | UNO - UNderstanding the Ordinary to predict the extraordinary: An integrated approach for studying and interpreting the explosive activity at Stromboli volcano | PIP Scarlet
- ASI-INAF Project | “Exoplanets” | PIG De Astis
- ERC Syn Fear | Fault activation and Earthquake Rupture | PID Giardini, F. Amman, M. Cocco, S. Wiemer
- Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship | “Experiments, Numerical modeling and field observations of basaltic maGmA fragMEntation (ENDGAME)” | PIJ Taddeucci, G. La Spina
- INGV “Dynamic Planet” Project | DYNAMO DYNAmics of eruptive phenoMena at basaltic volcanoes | GDP Zuccarello
- INGV “Dynamic Planet” Project | CAVEAT | PIM Palano
- IRGIE Inventory of Geothermal Resources of the Aeolian Islands. estimate of potential and proposals for use | PIM Procesi
- INGV “Dynamic Planet” Project | Sibyl | PIA Pignatelli