In the realm of energy and environmental research, understanding the behavior of fluids and chemicals within porous materials is crucial. This is where the work of Na Liu, Jakub Wiktor Both, Geir Ersland, Jan Martin Nordbotten, and Martin Fernø comes into play. These researchers, affiliated with institutions including the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the University of Bergen, have recently published a comprehensive review in the journal Advances in Water Resources. Their work focuses on the trends in laboratory imaging of porous media and the importance of open science practices.
Porous media are materials filled with pores or voids, such as rocks, soils, and even engineered materials like catalysts. The movement of fluids and chemicals through these materials is governed by complex processes like capillarity, wettability, and reactive transport. To better understand and predict these processes, researchers use various imaging techniques to visualize and quantify the behavior at different scales, from nanometers to meters. This multiscale imaging is essential for improving predictive models and optimizing the design of subsurface and engineered porous systems.
The review by Liu and colleagues provides an integrated overview of the imaging techniques used in porous media research. Each technique has its strengths and limitations, and the choice depends on the specific research question and the scale of interest. For instance, some techniques are better suited for visualizing fluid-fluid interfaces, while others excel at capturing fluid-solid interactions. The researchers emphasize that combining imaging data with quantitative analyses and modeling is key to bridging the gap between pore-scale mechanisms and continuum-scale behavior.
However, the field faces several challenges. Limited spatio-temporal resolution, sample representativity, and restricted data accessibility are among the main hurdles. To address these, the researchers advocate for open science practices, particularly the open sharing of imaging datasets. They note that while open-access publishing has become widespread, the availability of imaging data and analysis code remains limited. Open sharing of datasets would enable reproducibility, foster cross-disciplinary integration, and support the development of robust predictive frameworks for porous media systems.
For the energy sector, the insights gained from porous media imaging are invaluable. They can help optimize oil and gas recovery, improve carbon sequestration strategies, and enhance the design of energy storage systems. By embracing open science practices, the energy industry can benefit from a more collaborative and transparent research environment, ultimately accelerating innovation and progress.
In conclusion, the work of Liu and colleagues underscores the importance of advanced imaging techniques and open science practices in porous media research. Their review serves as a valuable resource for researchers and industry professionals alike, highlighting the potential of these approaches to drive forward the energy and environmental sectors.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.