Exploring Rocks with X-rays and AI

Project Leader: Jiabin Liang

Meet Jiabin Liang, a data scientist and geoscientist at CSIRO Energy, who developed cutting-edge artificial intelligence and software solutions for underground resource exploration and characterisation.

Partner Institution: CSIRO System: Visualisation Lab Areas of science: Earth Sciences Applications used: Python & ParaView

X-ray for Rocks

The Dual-Energy X-ray CT scans rocks at different energy levels to peek inside and study their properties—without causing any damage.  By scanning at various energy levels, we can uncover how density and mineral composition vary, which is vital for natural resource exploration like oil or minerals. This gives us a detailed understanding of the rock structures deep underground.

Automation with Python & ParaView

Once the scan is complete, the analysis is fully automated using Python and ParaView, with support from the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre. This tech efficiently processes vast amounts of data, generating stunning 3D visualisations of the rocks. This technology is transforming the way scientists explore natural resources, offering deeper insights into what’s happening inside the Earth’s hidden treasures.

Jiabin Liang,
Project Leader.