Themes

A. Scientific and Engineering Themes

1.  Porous Media Fundamentals 

• Flow, transport & reaction processes in porous media involving single & multiple phases

• Transport of biological materials in porous materials

• Anomalous solute transport and separation

• Hydro-chemo-mechanical behaviour of porous materials

• Thermo-poromechanics of porous materials 

• Energy-responsive porous materials

• Dynamic Interfaces in soft and active porous materials

• AI-driven discovery in porous materials

2.  Mathematical & Computational Modelling

•  Multiscale modelling and upscaling

• Data assimilation and model reduction 

• Digital twins for porous systems

• Machine learning & high-performance computing (HPC) 

• Integration of data science and computational statistics 

• Uncertainty quantification & risk analysis 

3.  Experimental Techniques & Validation

• Nanoparticle and porous media preparation 

• Microfluidics and micro-PIV 

• Core-flooding, rheology, and wettability studies 

• Pore-scale and Darcy-based model development 

• In situ and real-time imaging under dynamic conditions 

B. Applications of Porous Media

1.  Energy Systems

• Electrochemical systems (fuel cells, batteries) 

• Carbon/hydrogen storage 

• Direct air capture & Negative Emissions Technologies 

• Thermochemical energy storage 

• Geothermal energy 

• Enhanced oil recovery 

• Redox flow batteries

• Functional materials

• Catalysis 

2.  Environmental & Subsurface Engineering

• CO₂ sequestration 

• Water treatment and security 

• Hydrogeology 

• Surface and groundwater quality modelling 

• Porous Media in Wildfire and Drought Modelling 

• Microplastics and Emerging Contaminants in Porous Systems

3.  Healthcare and Biomedicine

• Porous media and particles in pharmaceutical engineering 

• Porous media mechanics in tissue and biological engineering 

• Personalised healthcare systems using smart porous materials

• Organs-on-chips and microvascular porous networks 

• Controlled release and responsive therapeutic systems

• Sensor for monitoring of analytes in biological porous media

4.  Material Science & Geomechanics

• Membranes and catalysts 

• Geopolymer for ground improvement and water treatment 

• Shale rock mechanics and hydraulic fracturing

C. Interdisciplinarity and Societal Impact

• Porous media in addressing challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC)

• Integration of biological and non-biological porous systems

• Circular economy and material sustainability

• Autonomous and intelligent porous technologies 

• Case studies of societal impacts, such as on climate resilience, energy transition and public health 

• Policy and regulation interface with porous media technologies

• Ethical AI and equity in porous media applications