Natural and industrial microbial processes – such as those in the subsurface – are often governed by the properties of their mineral substrate, and in turn, microbes can alter the substrate through mineral weathering and precipitation. These processes control the spatio-temporal variability of the physical and hydraulic properties of porous media, and are relevant in many applications in the environment (subsurface transport and hydrology), energy (geothermics), civil engineering (geotechnics, building materials), and human health (bone biomechanics).
Microorganisms in subsurface environments can catalyze reactions that change solution chemistry, enhance mineralization as a byproduct of their metabolism, and act as mineral nucleation sites. However, these microbially induced reactions are difficult to characterize due to the complexity of the mineral substrate, its spatio-temporal evolution, fluid dynamics, and the coupling of geochemical and biological processes.
The goal of this PhD is to develop a novel geo-material microfluidic device that directly incorporates a natural mineral substrate in a controlled experimental arena. In combination with multiple imaging and quantification techniques – including optical microscopy, Raman microspectroscopy, and contactless high-resolution measurements of microtopography – this will enable a better understanding of the fundamental characteristics that govern fluid flow, chemical reactions and microbial interactions at the fluid-solid interface. Experimental observations will be blended with theory and modeling.
For further information about the groups, please visit stockerlab.ethz.ch/ and sepgroup.ethz.ch/ or contact Dr. Joaquin Jimenez-Martinez by e-mail jjimenez[at]ethz.ch (no applications).
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