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A recent investigation into the moon’s formation and Earth’s water origin has provided compelling insights. Researchers from the University of Göttingen and the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS) conducted analyses on lunar and terrestrial samples, revealing that the moon was likely formed predominantly from Earth’s mantle material. This challenges the long-held theory that the protoplanet Theia contributed significantly to the moon’s composition. The findings also shed light on Earth’s early water acquisition, suggesting a re-evaluation of existing assumptions.
New Findings on Moon’s Formation
According to the study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, oxygen isotopes from 14 lunar samples and 191 terrestrial measurements were examined using laser fluorination. The study observed a close isotopic resemblance between oxygen-17 isotopes from both the moon and Earth. This finding contradicts prior theories attributing the moon’s composition to a major contribution from Theia, the protoplanet believed to have collided with Earth billions of years ago.
Professor Andreas Pack, Managing Director of the Geoscience Centre at the University of Göttingen, explained to phys.org that Theia’s earlier collisions might have stripped it of its mantle. The collision with Earth could have occurred as a “metallic cannonball,” leading to the moon’s formation from ejected mantle material.
Implications for Earth’s Water History
The data has also prompted new discussions about the origin of Earth’s water. As per reports, the widely accepted Late Veneer Event theory—suggesting water arrived after the moon’s formation through subsequent impacts—is being questioned. First author Meike Fischer, formerly at MPS, stated in reports that the isotopic consistency between Earth and the moon rules out many meteorite types as the source of water. Enstatite chondrites, a class of meteorites with isotopic similarity to Earth and sufficient water content, are suggested as the likely contributors to Earth’s water.
These findings provide critical insights into the intertwined histories of Earth’s development and the moon’s formation, advancing understanding of planetary evolution.
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A new two-dimensional (2D) material that combines exceptional strength with flexibility has been created by a team led by Northwestern University. Described as resembling interlinked chainmail, this innovative material is lightweight and holds potential for applications such as advanced body armour and other high-performance uses. The breakthrough is credited to the development of a scalable polymerisation process that creates densely packed mechanical bonds, reportedly achieving a record-breaking 100 trillion mechanical bonds per square centimetre.
Structure and Development Process
According to the research published in Science, this material is the first of its kind—a 2D mechanically interlocked polymer. The team utilised X-shaped monomers, arranging them in a crystalline structure to facilitate the formation of mechanical bonds. William Dichtel, Robert L. Letsinger Professor of Chemistry at Northwestern University, noted in a statement, as reported by phys.org, that this novel polymer structure offers unique resistance to tearing.
He explained that the material can dissipate applied forces in various directions due to the freedom of movement within its mechanical bonds. Madison Bardot, a doctoral candidate and the study’s first author, reportedly devised the concept for the material’s formation. Describing the process as “high-risk, high-reward,” Dichtel attributed the success to rethinking traditional approaches to molecular crystal reactions. Layers of the resulting interlocked polymer sheets are said to provide both rigidity and flexibility, while their structure has been confirmed using advanced electron microscopy techniques by researchers at Cornell University.
Enhanced Properties and Applications
The material’s inherent strength inspired researchers at Duke University, led by Matthew Becker, to incorporate it into Ultem, a robust polymer used in extreme conditions. A composite containing just 2.5 percent of the new material reportedly increased Ultem’s toughness significantly. Dichtel suggested that the polymer could serve as a specialised material for ballistic fabrics and lightweight, protective gear.
The study was dedicated to the late Sir Fraser Stoddart, who pioneered the concept of mechanical bonds and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2016 for his contributions to molecular machines.
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