Conceptual art shown here depicts a ligand adapting to its environment.
Chemical chameleon reveals novel pathway for separating rare-earth metals
In a proposed carbon-capture method, magnesium oxide crystals on the ground bind to carbon dioxide molecules from the surrounding air, triggering the formation of magnesium carbonate. The magnesium carbonate is then heated to convert it back to magnesium oxide and release the carbon dioxide for placement underground, or sequestration. Credit: Adam Malin/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy
Time-tested magnesium oxide: Unveiling CO2 absorption dynamics

Geochemistry and Interfacial Sciences

The Geochemistry and Interfacial Sciences Group conducts fundamental and applied research on fluid-solid interactions that control

  • Contaminant fate and transport in subsurface geologic environments
  • Crystal nucleation and growth
  • Heterogeneous reaction rates, mechanisms, and geochemical equilibria in general

Our principal research projects include “Atomic- to Pore-Scale Geochemical Processes;” and the "Interfacial Dynamics in Radioactive Environments and Materials (IDREAM) Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC).” 

In these and a number of smaller applied projects, we integrate modeling with a wide array of experimental and analytical approaches to quantify the properties of interfacial and pore-confined fluids, reaction rates and mechanisms at fluid-solid interfaces, and transport of solvents and solutes through porous media at nano to macroscopic length scales.

We are pioneering the application of neutron and synchrotron-based X-ray scattering and spectroscopies to quantify interfacial and pore-scale fluid-solid interactions. These results are interpreted using atomic- to meso-scale simulations where we probe reaction mechanisms using rare event theories and determine role of fluid transport in porous media using computational fluid dynamics.

Our work is primarily funded by the Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences.

researcher

Mechanisms of Atomic- to Pore-Scale Geochemical Processes

Fundamental research on chemical processes in aqueous solutions, at mineral-water interfaces, and within geologic media. Supported by the Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences Division.

5-panel flow chart showing solids and liquids

Factors Controlling Stability of Hydrated Amorphous Material Formed from Solution at Interfaces

Fundamental mechanisms controlling the stability of amorphous materials formed from aqueous solutions in the absence and presence of interfaces. Supported by the Materials Sciences and Engineering Division.

Basic energy sciences

Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences.

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