Manuel Scharrer

Manuel Scharrer, the David McDonald Endowed Assistant Professor in Critical Minerals, is an economic geologist, geochemist, and calorimetrist whose interdisciplinary research integrates petrology, mineralogy, geochemistry, and experimental thermodynamics to understand ore-forming processes and the behavior of critical materials.

His work focuses on the mineral systems approach to ore deposit formation, a holistic framework that considers the entire geodynamic context, from metal sources and transport pathways to depositional environments and preservation. He applies fluid inclusion analysis and a suite of petrological and geochemical techniques to investigate hydrothermal and metamorphic ore systems enriched in Ni, Co, Zn, Sb, and rare earth elements.

He conducts high- and low-temperature calorimetric experiments to generate fundamental thermodynamic data that inform predictive models of mineral stability and support exploration and processing strategies for critical raw materials. His research also examines how structural and chemical factors govern the stability of both natural and synthetic materials, with applications across geoscience and materials science. In service to the broader research community, he contributes to the development of open-access thermodynamic databases.

A committed educator, Scharrer integrates research into the classroom through his courses in economic geology and applied thermodynamics. He actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students, offering hands-on experience with state-of-the-art analytical and experimental techniques to prepare them for impactful careers in academia and industry.

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Contact

Phone: 865-974-0402

Email: mscharre@utk.edu

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Research Interests

Manuel studies critical minerals using experimental thermodynamics, petrology, and geochemistry. He focuses on rare earth minerals and non-oxides to model ore formation and support sustainable resource and materials development.