Wendy Mao
Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences and of Photon Science
Research
Pressure induces dramatic changes in materials. I study the behavior of materials under compression which often leads to the discovery of novel phases and new phenomena. This research has a wide variety of applications including improving our understanding the interiors of Earth and other planetary bodies, providing insight into the condensation and evolution of volatiles in planetary systems, and providing guidance for developing new materials for energy related applications like hydrogen fuel storage and advanced batteries.
Teaching
I teach classes on understanding the Earth's interior, mineralogy, and a freshman seminar on diamonds.