Achievement

Trainee John Mason explored the mechanics of solid organic matter (kerogen) in a shale from which unconventional natural gas is being produced. His broad objective is to learn whether high concentrations of the organic matter alter the fundamental behavior of this type of rock, with the practical goal of exploring the efficacy of alternative choices of “fracking fluid” compositions. He is working closely with advisors and other students who are material scientists, mechanical engineers, environmental engineers, and geologists (his discipline). He and the student collaborators have defined hypotheses to test and test protocols, and are now obtaining results.