Understanding Micro-Scale Physics, and Translation to Larger Scales

The dynamics of porous-media flows in environmental, technical, and biological applications are quite complex and span a wide range of disciplines and interests, including physics, chemistry, biology, computational mathematics, hydrology, reservoir and geothermal engineering. The scales of interest also span an incredibly wide range: from tiny (micrometer and smaller) scales to enormously large terrestrial (energy, water, and climate) systems. Thus, it is critically important to sustain and encourage the growth of a multi-disciplinary porous-media research community that deals with these complex and vitally important (natural) systems.

This biennial Gordon Research Conference has become the premier venue where researchers from academia, national labs, and industry share their latest ideas and exciting research findings related to flow and transport in permeable media. The 2014 meeting will be an outstanding forum for recognized leaders in their respective fields to meet and get together with exceptional young scientists (senior PhD students, post-docs). The conference will highlight theoretical, experimental, and mathematical research aimed at understanding the physics at the pore (micro) scale and how to translate the dynamics to successively larger scales. Specific topics and speakers will focus on emerging challenges and critical problems associated with subsurface energy and water resources, CO₂ sequestration, environmental protection, ecology, as well as biological and technical systems.

The speakers and participants are expected to share new, evolving, and unpublished ideas and research findings. The presentations will be moderated by recognized leaders in each of the topical areas under discussion. A primary objective is to generate stimulating discussions that engage the entire conference community in a constructive atmosphere. The conference format - programmed morning and evening lectures and free afternoons - provides ample time for informal interactions. The setting is a unique forum for young scientists to engage with leaders in the field. The highly interactive poster sessions are a critical part of the conference, and all the GRC attendees are strongly encouraged to submit a poster on their latest research work.