Earth, Material & Planetary Sciences
Dilation tendency analysis of synthetic fractures cutting through a simulated borehole. Pink, purple, & dark blue indicate fractures that are likely to dilate (open) in the current stress state.
The Department of Earth, Material and Planetary Sciences at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) serves a spectrum of commercial clients in the United States and abroad; federal, state, and local government agencies; and foreign government agencies.
David Ferrill, Ph.D., Director
Earth, Material & Planetary Sciences Technical Strengths
- Environmental science
- Geophysics
- Hydrology
- Material and corrosion science and engineering
- Planetary science
- Spatial information technology (Geomatics)
- Structural geology
Earth & Planetary Sciences
Earth and planetary sciences services provide technical assistance and contract research for:
- Energy exploration and production
- Environmental remediation and management
- Groundwater resource analysis and management
- Natural hazard risk assessment
- Planetary sciences
Geological & Aerospace Materials
Geological and aerospace materials services include evaluating the performance of natural and engineered materials in complex industrial, geological, and aerospace environments. Research and development activities include:
- Corrosion monitoring techniques and sensors
- High-temperature corrosion and oxidation
- Localized corrosion processes
- Microbiologically influenced corrosion
- Protective coatings
