Fabio Joseph
Doktorand
About me
I am currently a doctoral student focusing on materials science and astrogeology. My academic career began with a bachelor's degree in geosciences, followed by a master's degree specializing in materials science and geochemistry. As the contact person for our laser laboratory, I have gained extensive experience in various fields, particularly in the application of SEM and Raman spectroscopy.
- Deputy Head of Laser Laboratory (RAMAN spectroscopy)
Research Interests
My research interests are wide-ranging, as I am involved in numerous interdisciplinary projects as a contact person for a laser laboratory. My focus is on materials science and, in particular, astrogeology, where I use innovative methods to investigate extraterrestrial materials. I am also fascinated by the medical field, whose potential applications I am exploring in the context of modern laser technologies.
© Fabio Joseph
Crystall Formation in extraterrestrial bodies
My current research topic involves investigating a wide variety of meteorite samples from the Moon, Mars and, in particular, chondrites. Our work currently focuses on chondrites, one of the oldest and most primitive groups of meteorites. In our laboratory, we recently identified and described for the first time a new type of chondrule, with the name ‘inversely zoned chondrule’ (IZ chondurle) and which has an atypical zoned structure (Fig. 1) (Joseph et al., 2025). We are currently investigating the formation process of this and other chondrules experimentally, analysing and reconstructing them.
Another focus of the project is the detailed investigation of TiO₂ phases that have been detected in various meteorites and planets. These titanium-containing minerals are of particular interest to materials science, as they serve as precursors for modern synthetic materials and could potentially be used as raw materials for the extraction of titanium. Our investigations are therefore dedicated not only to mineralogical characterisation, but also to the resource potential and possible mining strategies of TiO₂ in extraterrestrial material. Through this interdisciplinary approach, we are making an important contribution to the understanding of cosmic processes and to the promotion of future applications in materials research and resource extraction.
DFG Projekt (2024-2026)
Joseph, F., Drozdovsky, I., Junge, M., Brau, J. and Kaliwoda, M. (2025), Petrographic and geochemical analysis of inversely zoned chondrules. Meteorit Planet Sci, 60: 1785-1797. https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.14381