3D neutron and X-Ray tomography of cometary Carbon-Titanium grains in ferruginous terrestrial sediments: the problem of origin

The first aim of this research project is helping to interpret the so-far unexplained origin of an iron-rich sediment from the site of a well-known impact structure from a site temporarily undisclosed for security reasons. What makes this rock so interesting is that when it was digested at the Pelchem lab it released two mm-scale grains of metallic titanium onto which ultra-hard carbon filaments of non-terrestrial origin are attached. Given the highly destructive nature of the acid leach, we would like to apply first non-destructive analytical techniques to the study of these scientifically unique materials. The decision to apply to neutron and XRD-computed tomography technique to our samples is in the end dictated by the research questions, the preservation and material properties of the filamentous objects, in the event that they might represent alien microfossil remains.