Where does all the CO2 go? A 4D investigation at the nanoscale

For secure underground storage of carbon, residual trapping of CO₂ bubbles in the complex geometry of nano-porous media, such as chalk, is a key mechanism. Governed by small scale forces, surface properties and pore geometry, these processes are, however, hidden deep in the bulk from direct observation and study. X-ray tomographic imaging in 3D and 4D (space+time) has come a long way in studying model systems. However, conducting such experiments at the realistic nanoscale and any time resolution, is very far away. At least so it seems. Over the past years I have learned how to navigate the limitations encountered in this method. The solution lies in developing a “lab-on-a-stage” design where the entire injection setup is comprised on a small footprint, without any strings attached. With such a setup entirely new ways of study would open. Even for only distantly related research fields, as processes in porous media are ubiquitous in nature and industrial applications.