Richard Secco

Dr. Richard Secco is a Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Western University. He specializes in Mineral Physics and Materials Science, focusing on high-pressure and high/low-temperature effects on solids and liquids. His research applies to planetary core dynamics (e.g., Earth, Mercury, Mars, Ganymede) and materials engineering.

Education: Ph.D., Western University (1988). Laboratory facilities include BGS 0127 and BGS 0132. He uses large-volume presses (e.g., 200-3000 ton cubic/multi-anvil) to study electrical and thermal properties under extreme conditions. Recent work includes studies on Fe-Si-S alloys, planetary core heat flow, and carbonate calibration devices.

Key collaborations involve researchers like W. Yong (co-author on many publications) and students such as Berrada, Littleton, and Orole. His work bridges fundamental physics with planetary science, contributing to understanding core convection, dynamo generation, and extraterrestrial material behavior.

Publications span journals like Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Geophysical Research Letters, and Crystals. He has developed software tools (e.g., Rho) for resistivity analysis and pioneered techniques for low-temperature experiments in multi-anvil presses.