Shale research focuses on studying the geological formations that contain shale, a fine-grained sedimentary rock composed of mud and clay minerals. Researchers study the properties of shale formations, such as their porosity and permeability, in order to better understand their potential for storing natural gas and oil. Additionally, shale research often involves investigating the environmental impacts of extracting resources from shale formations, particularly through hydraulic fracturing (fracking) techniques. This research area is important for the energy industry, as shale formations have become a significant source of natural gas and oil in recent years.