Research Core Facility Directory

The Applied Geodynamics Laboratory (AGL) at UT Austin, part of the Bureau of Economic Geology, focuses on understanding salt tectonics through advanced research and modeling. AGL provides insights into subsurface dynamics relevant to energy exploration and geotechnical applications. Utilizing physical and computational modeling techniques, AGL researchers investigate the behavior of salt structures and their impact on petroleum systems. The lab’s collaborative projects with industry partners drive innovation in structural geology, offering valuable resources for enhanced exploration and production strategies. AGL staff collaborate closely with sponsors, providing access to cutting-edge data, tools, and geodynamic expertise.

Services Offered

• Research on salt tectonics
• Physical and computational modeling of salt structures
• Petroleum system analysis
• Industry collaboration on geotechnical challenges
• Data and visualization for subsurface studies

The Austin Core Research Center (ACRC) at UT Austin is one of the largest and most comprehensive repositories for geological samples in the United States. Housing an extensive collection of core, cuttings, and rock samples from Texas and beyond, ACRC serves as a valuable resource for research and education in geology, energy, and environmental science. The center provides access to state-of-the-art facilities for sample analysis, preservation, and data management, supporting studies in sedimentology, stratigraphy, and petroleum geology. ACRC staff offer expertise in core handling and analysis, assisting researchers, students, and industry professionals in unlocking subsurface insights for exploration and research projects.

Services Offered

• Geological core and sample repository
• Core and cuttings analysis
• Sedimentology and stratigraphy support
• Access to historical and recent geological data
• Training in core analysis techniques

Services Offered

• Fracture and diagenesis analysis of geological samples
• Experimental setups for rock mechanics and geomechanical testing
• Consulting on subsurface fracture behavior
• Research partnerships on reservoir characterization and petroleum geology

Services Offered

• Analysis of water flow, storage, and quality
• Development of hydrologic models for environmental studies
• Consulting on groundwater contamination and resource management
• Field and lab-based hydrology research support

Services Offered

• Stable isotope ratio analysis for environmental samples
• Inorganic chemical analysis of geological materials
• Custom isotopic studies for geological and environmental applications
• Research support in isotope geochemistry

Services Offered

• Seismic data acquisition and processing
• Marine subsurface imaging
• Analysis of sedimentary basins and tectonic structures
• Research support for marine geology and seismology projects

Services Offered

• Experimental setups for fluid flow in porous media
• Modeling of reservoir and aquifer processes
• Visualization of micro-scale fluid behaviors
• Research support for oil, gas, and environmental studies

The Nanoscale Force Spectroscopy Laboratory is dedicated to investigating nanoscale features using advanced force spectroscopy tools. The primary focus is on understanding the force fields of fluid molecules and nanoparticles, as well as the pore walls in geological environments, including saline aquifers and unconventional shale gas reservoirs. The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation, including an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), a Zeiss Light Microscope with a high-frequency capture camera, an ultraviolet (UV) particle analyzer, a packed column transport setup, and computational facilities. This comprehensive array of tools supports cutting-edge research in nanoscience and geoscience.

Services Offered

• Nanoscale analysis of geological materials
• Atomic force microscopy for surface characterization
• Research on fluid and mineral interactions
• Consultation for nanoscience and geoscience studies

Services Offered

• Vibrating sample magnetometry for nanoscale materials
• Analysis of magnetic properties
• Sample preparation for magnetometry
• Consultation on experimental design for magnetic studies

The UT Austin Bureau of Economic Geology’s Near Surface Observatory features LiDAR and hyperspectral data analysis for environmental monitoring and geological research. The observatory's advanced imaging helps capture and analyze surface-level environmental features, supporting studies in fields such as geology, environmental science, and resource management. This program enhances the understanding of Texas’s diverse terrains and provides actionable data for sustainable management and hazard assessment.

Services Offered

• High-resolution LIDAR mapping for surface studies
• Geospatial data collection and processing
• Terrain and vegetation analysis
• Support for geological and environmental research

Services Offered

• Analysis of organic compounds in geological samples
• Biomarker and isotopic analysis
• Method development for organic geochemistry
• Research support in environmental and petroleum geochemistry

Services Offered

• Experimental studies on rock permeability and fluid flow
• Pore-scale imaging and analysis
• Research on reservoir quality and hydrocarbon recovery
• Collaboration on petroleum and geoscience research

Services Offered

• Testing of rock strength and deformation properties
• Simulation of subsurface stress conditions
• Analysis of fracture and faulting in rocks
• Consulting on geotechnical and energy applications

Services Offered

• Sediment composition and texture analysis
• Grain size distribution and mineralogy
• Analysis of depositional environments
• Support for geological and environmental research

The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Laboratory offers micro to nanoscale SEM imaging and chemical analysis of various rock types, playing a critical role in a wide range of funded research projects related to reservoir characterization, fracture measurements and interpretation, and unconventional resources. Equipped with a newly acquired Zeiss Sigma High Vacuum Field Emission SEM, the laboratory specializes in generating large-area, high-resolution, automated image mosaics for fracture-scaling studies. This advanced imaging capability supports innovative research in geological sciences and resource exploration.

Services Offered

• Scanning electron microscopy for micro- to nanoscale imaging
• Elemental analysis via EDS and WDS
• High-resolution imaging for geological samples
• Consulting on SEM techniques and data interpretation

Services Offered

• Analysis of soil physical and chemical properties
• Soil nutrient and contaminant testing
• Consultation on soil management and conservation
• Support for environmental and agricultural research

Services Offered

• Aqueous geochemistry analysis
• Sample preparation and chemical treatments
• Analysis of environmental and geological samples
• Collaboration on water and soil chemistry studies