Perform detailed investigations of clastic, carbonate, and evaporitic rocks and understand weathering and erosion processes that shaped the geological features of Earth. Use automated grain size and shape measurements to understand the environmental conditions of formation. Employ correlative microscopy to blend mineralogy data from polarized light microscopes and automated mineralogy to provide textural knowledge. Determine stratigraphic sequences from microfossils and use detailed data on an organism’s structure to identify species and development levels to provide geological timescales.

Microscopy allows paleontologists to study microtextures and mineralization patterns, offering insights into the conditions that promote fossilization and helping to recognize preservation biases. ZEISS microscopy enables high-resolution analysis of even the smallest or most fragmentary fossils, revealing detailed structural and morphological features. With multiscale 3D X-ray microscopy, researchers can perform non-destructive imaging and internal 3D measurements, preserving valuable samples while deepening understanding of ancient life forms.

Improving ore deposit knowledge, refining our understanding of oregenesis and understanding more effective ways of extracting valuable ore is critical in ensuring we have resources available for future generations. For these studies we can combine optical, electron, and X-ray microscopy to help characterize and understand these ore deposits.

Advanced microscopy techniques from ZEISS reveale valuable materials within electronic waste, batteries, and solar panels. Through detailed analysis of components like circuit boards and semiconductors, researchers can identify precious metals and rare earth elements for efficient recovery. ZEISS microscopy also aids in examining residues from construction, municipal, and industrial waste, helping to detect valuable or hazardous minerals and optimize processing and separation methods.

Unconventional reservoirs are characterized by complex nanoscale pore structures, including organic-hosted porosity, intricate pyritization, and inter- and intra-granular microporosity. To effectively analyze these features, core plugs, end trims, rock cuttings, and petrographic thin sections must be imaged and measured across multiple length scales - from centimeters down to nanometers - in both 2D and 3D. This requires a suite of advanced imaging tools. By integrating pore-scale imaging with well-log and core analysis data, researchers can efficiently capture structural details across eight orders of magnitude within a unified correlative microscopy workspace.