SwRI: Department of Earth, Material, and Planetary Sciences

	Dilation tendency analysis of synthetic fractures cutting through a simulated borehole. Pink, purple, and 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 in the areas of:

• Environmental science

• Geophysics

• Hydrology

• Material and corrosion science and engineering

• Planetary science

• Spatial information technology (geomatics)

• Structural geology

Earth and Planetary Sciences

Earth and planetary sciences services at SwRI 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 and Aerospace Materials

Geological and aerospace materials services at SwRI 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

For more information about the capabilities of the Department of Earth, Material and Planetary Sciences at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Dr. David Ferrill at dferrill@swri.org or (210) 522-6082.