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Abstract When compressed, certain lattices undergo phase transitions that may allow nuclei to gain sig- nificant kinetic energy. To explore the dynamics of this phenomenon, we develop a methodology to study Coulomb coupled N-body systems constrained to a sphere, as in the Thomson problem. We initialize N total Boron nuclei as point particles on the surface of the sphere, allowing them to equilibrate via Coulomb scattering with a viscous damping term. To simulate a phase transition, we remove Nrm particles, forcing the system to rearrange into a new equilibrium. With this model, we consider the Thomson problem as a dynamical system, providing a framework to explore how non-zero temperature affects structural imperfections in Thomson minima. We develop a scaling relation for the average peak kinetic energy attained by a single particle as a function of N and Nrm. For certain values of N , we find an order of magnitude energy gain when increasing Nrm from 1 to 6. The model may help to design a lattice that maximizes the energy output. 

Abstract Single crystal paleointensity (SCP) reveals that the Moon lacked a long-lived core dynamo, though mysteries remain. An episodic dynamo, seemingly recorded by some Apollo basalts, is temporally and energetically problematic. We evaluate this enigma through study of ~3.7 billion-year-old (Ga) Apollo basalts 70035 and 75035. Whole rock analyses show unrealistically high nominal magnetizations, whereas SCP indicate null fields, illustrating that the former do not record an episodic dynamo. However, deep crustal magnetic anomalies might record an early lunar dynamo. SCP studies of 3.97 Ga Apollo breccia 61016 and 4.36 Ga ferroan anorthosite 60025 also yield null values, constraining any core dynamo to the Moon’s first 140 million years. These findings suggest that traces of Earth’s Hadean atmosphere, transferred to the Moon lacking a magnetosphere, could be trapped in the buried lunar regolith, presenting an exceptional target for future exploration.