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Dr Chris Mays (University College Cork)

Abstract: Putting fossils in a 'nuclear oven' may not sound like a good idea, but high-energy radiation from a nuclear reactor can provide a unique, non-destructive approach to examine fossils, inside and out. Such non-destructive methods are being increasingly sought after by fossil researchers to avoid making potentially regretful mistakes when preparing and examining these irreplaceable relics from our past.

In this talk, Dr Chris Mays will discuss the applications of various high-energy imaging techniques to 'virtually extract' and 'virtually dissect' fossils, even those still embedded deep within their host sedimentary rocks. Chris will demonstrate these new tools in the palaeontologist's toolkit with a series of case studies from his specific research on fossil plants and mass extinctions.