International Porous Media Society China Chapter 2026 Annual Conference Successfully Concludes at Nanjing University Suzhou Campus

The InterPore China Chapter 2026 Annual Conference was held at Nanjing University’s Suzhou Campus from July 14–17, bringing together over 300 experts from 7 countries. The conference was organized by the Center for Sustainable Subsurface Energy and co-hosted by the School of Sustainable Energy and Resources at Nanjing University and InterPore China Chapter, delivering a vibrant program of 30 plenary lectures, 4 thematic sessions, and 65 poster presentations.

Conference chair Prof. Xudong Jing at Nanjing University, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, delivering opening speech.

Distinguished guests (left to right): Prof. Moran Wang, Prof. Jun Yao, Prof. Majid Hassanizadeh, Prof. Xudong Jing, Mr. Gongliang Gu.

The conference addresses a critical challenge: translating pore-scale mechanisms into field-scale decision making. Two interconnected threads weave through the program. The first focused on fundamental characterizations, featuring talks by Prof. Martin Blunt, FRS (Imperial College) and InterPore China Chair Prof. Moran Wang (Tsinghua University), among others, who, collectively, advance research in X‑ray imaging, NMR, and nonlinear transport in nanopores. The second thread integrates these insights into practical applications, with contributions from academicians Chen Zhangxing (Eastern Institute of Technology), Abbas Firoozabadi (Rice University), and InterPore founder Prof. Majid Hassanizadeh on CO₂ sequestration, hydrogen storage, and AI‑driven reservoir management.

Highlighted keynote speakers: Prof. Martin Blunt, Dr. Fujie Sun, Prof. Majid Hassanizadeh, Prof. Moran Wang, Prof. William R. Rossen, Prof. Yiqiao Song.

Two dedicated panel discussions shed lights on upscaling challenges in porous media research and career development. Meanwhile, a short course of multiphase flow in prous media for early‑career researchers taught by Prof. Martin Blunt enhances their understanding of the physics of flow in porous media. The poster session, featuring 65 submissions, provides a venue for academic exchange and recognition of the state-of-the-art research.

Panel discussion 1: Challenges in upscaling for porous media study.

Panel discussion 2: Career development in porous media.

Snapshots of poster sessions discussions.

Best poster awards ceremony.

Despite a two‑day delay of the conference due to typhoon conditions, the organizing committee, led by Nanjing University and supported by five co‑organizers, ensured seamless delivery. Arranged visits of conference attendees to local R&D platforms further bridged academia and industry.

This year’s conference not only showcased cutting-edge porous media research but also reinforced international collaboration and talent development. It establishes an innovation chain – from fundamentals and advanced characterizations to field applications, in support of a low‑carbon and sustainable subsurface energy development.

Conference organizing committee with student volunteers at the closing ceremony.