RESEARCH IN EARTH SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 1

EARTH SCIENCE & ENGINEERING Diverse field – different, interrelated subjects leading to a wide choice of possible careers Top quality research – 5*A rating in most recent research assessment (2001) High profile staff – number of prestigious academics actively undertaking research in the department

RESEARCH SECTIONS EARTH & PLANETS PETROLEUM ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, MODELLING & MINERALS

EARTH AND PLANETS

This is a quartz sample viewed with a polarising microscope (under cross polarised light, XPL). This is particular sample is from El Teniente, the worlds largest copper deposit (in terms of copper production) located in Chile, just south of Santiago. Researchers at Imperial are studying the chemical composition of the fluids present within the sample in order to work out depositional/transport processes of valuable metals like copper.

This is a meteorite, in other words a genuine rock from space This is a meteorite, in other words a genuine rock from space. Researchers at Imperial are studying meteorites to try and work out what they are made of. With information on the composition of meteorites they can address a wide range of questions, such as the origins and early evolution of our solar system.

These are computer reconstructions of two fossils, extinct animals which may be the distant ancestors of humans. Researchers at Imperial are studying fossil using X-ray CT and computer software to look at the what was inside these fossils, and better understand the evolution of life on Earth.

PETROLEUM

This is a 3D seismic volume from the North Sea, it shows the structure of the rocks under the sea floor. Researchers at Imperial can use such sections to better understand the geological changes that have occurred in an area through time, helping to locate oil and gas reservoirs.

ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT, MODELLING AND MINERALS

This is a computer reconstruction of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathode, a device with the potential for economic, clean and efficient power generation. Researchers at Imperial are studying the small scale structure of such devices in order to improve fuel cell design, and thus more effectively produce energy.

This is a computer simulation of a sloshing water column This is a computer simulation of a sloshing water column. Researchers at Imperial are using such simulations to understand how water currents circulate in modern and past oceans.

RESEARCH & UNDERGRADUATES MSci Project (4th year) – opportunity to work at the cutting edge of scientific research Can lead onto a PhD at Imperial College or elsewhere – opens door to many possible careers….