Prof. Eiji Ohtani from Tohoku University presented a lecture titled by “Global COE program and high pressure research at Tohoku University” in 26 April, 2010 invited by Dr Yangting Lin in Key Laboratory of the Earth’s Deep Interior, Institute of Geology and Geophysics.

Prof. Eiji Ohtani, vice chairman of GSJ and MSJ, chairman of Mineral Physics Committee in IMA, mainly researches in high pressure geophysics, experimental petrology, X-ray diffraction at high pressure and temperature using synchrotron radiation, metal-silicate partitioning and core formation of the planet, high pressure synthesis and kinetics of the high pressure minerals, stability of dense hydrous silicate phases at high pressure and temperature and effect of water on mantle dynamics.

The program of Global COE (Centers of Excellence) carried out by Japan in 2002 aimed for providing funding support for establishing education and research centers that perform at the apex of global excellence to elevate the international competitiveness of the Japanese universities. Prof. Ohtani first introduced geoscience and planetary science researches in Tohoku University, and then the advances on COE program in his group. He at last mainly introduced new techniques and results on high temperature and pressure experiments in the core-mantle boundary to the core conditions. And discussed the problems on light elements (Si and S) partition between iron melt and silicate, and melting temperature of iron bearing light elements.

More than 15 researchers and students from Key Laboratory of the Earth’s Deep Interior, Institute of Geology and Geophysics and Peaking University attended the lecture and discussed with Prof. Ohtani.

After the lecture, Prof. Ohtani visited Microprobe of Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry center in State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution and expected further academic cooperation with our institute.