While national discussions around drilling often focus on large-scale production and environmental policy, much of the industry's innovation is quietly being driven by the next generation - students working in labs, experimenting with new technologies, and helping to redefine how fossil fuels are extracted and managed.

At Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, senior petroleum and natural gas engineering major Allison Taylor is working on a research project to improve how gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂) are stored underground during drilling. Based in the university’s Vincent Science Center, her focus is on nanogels—tiny, gel-like polymers that can absorb and release different substances. For the past two years, Taylor has worked under the guidance of Dr. Xindi Sun, assistant professor of engineering. Together, they’ve tested how different chemical additives and concentrations impact nanogel performance, particularly in how well they can trap CO₂ in porous underground rock formations like sandstone.

The work is part of a broader effort funded by the American Chemical Society’s Petroleum Research Fund, which supports early-stage, often experimental projects in the oil and gas industry - especially those involving undergraduate students. The project’s aim is to enhance the efficiency of CO₂ flooding, a method that not only boosts oil recovery but can also serve to sequester greenhouse gases underground. In some types of reservoirs, CO₂ can escape too quickly to be effective. The nanogels being tested could help address that by plugging areas further from the injection point, keeping the CO₂ in place longer.

Taylor’s growing knowledge of the completion side of drilling complements her real-world experience: she previously interned with drilling company H&P, giving her insight into both ends of the oil production process. This blend of fieldwork and research has helped her develop a more comprehensive understanding of the industry's operations and challenges.

While the oil and gas sector continues to face scrutiny over its environmental footprint and long-term sustainability, contributions from younger professionals like Taylor are becoming increasingly important. They’re not just learning how the industry works - they’re working on how it could work better. Their involvement brings fresh thinking to an evolving sector under pressure to improve safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.

Taylor’s work at Slippery Rock may be taking place in a small university lab, but it reflects a broader trend: the critical role of student researchers in advancing the technologies and practices that will shape the future of energy.

Read more about SRU's engineering programs on their website here.