The Columbia Undergraduate Science Journal sponsors a research symposium for undergraduates. Jeff Campbell presented a paper entitled, “Development of Hydroxyapatite Coatings to Protect Marble from Acid Damage”. Marble is subject to dissolution at pH below about 6, so marble monuments are subject to attack in regions with acidic rain. Jeff has been investigating the influence of solution parameters (such as pH and ion concentration) on the structure of hydroxyapatite coatings deposited on marble. If nonporous coatings could be produced, they would reduce the solubility of marble by orders of magnitude. Jeff’s work is part of a larger program comprising the research of Sonia Naidu and visiting research collaborator Enrico Sassoni.
