MAST’s expertise in nanoparticle design and detection piqued the interest of two leading companies in the oil industry and has resulted in a long term development relationship on a number of industry issues. Fracking has brought new growth, but also new challenges to oil exploration. Concerns about the environmental impacts of fracking led our clients to work with us to develop particle detection instruments that both enhance the recovery of fossil fuels from existing wells, and also provide a method for insuring the purity of water in nearby water tables. MAST has also developed new minimally-invasive techniques for corrosion detection and monitoring within plants and pipelines, reducing the chance for spills and the costs of regular maintenance.