Peking University

Geomaterials and Environmental Mineralogy

Based on theories in Physical Chemistry for Silicate, Crystal Chemistry, Solid State Physics, Mechanics of Materials, this discipline is concerned with the study of composition, physical properties, microstructure, production or formation of natural and synthetic mineral materials. Its objectives are to improve and develop the value of mineral materials through doping and modification; to predict and design new mineral materials and conduct artificial synthesis in combination with related modern basic theories; and to explore and study the mechanisms and effects of functional mineral materials providing a foundation for the research and development of mineral-based products. On the basis of theories in Mineralogy, Materials Science, Physical Chemistry, and Solid State Physics, Mineral Engineering involves the study of resource utilization, deep processing technology and processing craft of mineral materials. And particular emphasis is placed on the study of the development and utilization of useful and potential properties of mineral materials. Crystallography focuses on the study of crystal structures, relationship between crystal structures and chemical composition, with the aid of modern testing techniques and methods for chemical composition and structural analysis. It mainly concerns natural and artificial crystalline substances, and interacts extensively with Materials Science, Solid State Physics and Inorganic Chemistry. Biological Mineralization (currently focuses on mineralization in the human body) is mainly about the understanding of how the human body produces inorganic minerals through regulation of biological macromolecules. Mineralization in the Human Body focuses on the study of physiological mineralization (functional mineralization) and pathological mineralization. Particular emphasis is placed on the study of the response relation between inorganic minerals and organic tissues, especially the mineralization law of single crystals and aggregates of different types, with comprehensive and interdisciplinary study of Mineralogy and Biomedicine. It aims to explore different mineralization and formation mechanism, uncover mineralization law and response mechanism in lesions, thus providing new clues and tools for diagnosis of mineralization-associated diseases.