Kimberly-Clark Distinguished Lecture 2025

From the Brain to Water Uptake of Roots to Fuel Cells: - Porous Media are "Almost"  Everywhere

Abstract

Porous media are almost everywhere. The understanding of flow, transport and deformation processes in porous media is important for the optimization of fuel cells, energy storage, the prediction of landslides due to heavy rainfall or the spread of tumors in human tissue.

In this lecture, we will first give a brief overview of the importance of porous media. Using selected examples, we will cover the range from environmental to technical and relevant bio-issues.

Then we would like to present selected modelling approaches and analyses using two concrete application examples:

• First, we can use the knowledge of porous media to make better predictions when multiple sclerosis flares. What happens in the porous medium "brain" when the blood-brain barrier no longer functions properly? How can research in the field of porous media positively influence the treatment of multiple sclerosis?

• Secondly, we would like to discuss whether it is possible to improve water management in fuel cells as a drive technology with our knowledge of porous media. What role does the understanding of porous media play in the context of alternative forms of mobility such as fuel cells? Are our "classical models" for water transportation helpful?

Regarding both of the above-mentioned topics, the use of simulations helps because they make the invisible processes in the brain and in the fuel cell visible (I hope).