Computational Microfluidics for Geosciences

Computational microfluidics for geosciences is the third leg of the scientific strategy that includes microfluidic experiments and high-resolution imaging for deciphering coupled processes in geological porous media. This modeling approach solves the fundamental equations of continuum mechanics in the exact geometry of porous materials. Computational microfluidics intends to complement and augment laboratory experiments. Although the field is still in its infancy, the recent progress in modeling multiphase flow and reactive transport at the pore-scale has shed new light on the coupled mechanisms occurring in geological porous media already. In this paper, we review the state-of-the-art computational microfluidics for geosciences, the open challenges, and the future trends.

Automated summary

Computational microfluidics for geosciences, as the third pillar of the scientific strategy, aims to decipher coupled processes in geological porous media by solving fundamental equations of continuum mechanics in exact porous materials geometry. Despite being in its early stages, recent progress in modeling multiphase flow and reactive transport at the pore-scale has provided new insights into the mechanisms occurring in geological porous media.