Dear InterPore colleagues,

Translating scientific findings to policy and legal frameworks is a fascinating, not to mention crucial business, as commercial incentives will attempt to navigate around directives and regulations.

I witnessed it with microplastics or “synthetic polymer microparticle” with a size range from 5 mm to 100 nm… (why is it called a microparticle?). Also the discussion whether SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via droplets or aerosols pushed the WHO to come forward with a new term: “Infectious Respiratory Particles” or IRP. Obviously, it didn’t change the shape nor size of the virus-laden liquid…

Among scientists, accurate terminology might be less of a concern. At InterPore conferences, webinars, or lectures, any imbiguity is either obvious or quickly clarified with a question. It is with non-scientists that we should be aware of what we actually mean with a term like “microstructure”.

All the best,

Matthijs de Winter
Editor-in-Chief
InterPore News

Invited speaker

In anticipation of InterPore2025, we’re introducing the invited speakers in today’s and forthcoming Newsletters and Bulletins. This week: Philippe Coussot

Philippe Coussot
Université Gustav Eiffel, France

Title: Water transport through hygroscopic porous materials (paper, wood, textiles, fiber panels): a subtle three-phase flow

Philippe Coussot is a senior researcher in the Rheophysics and Porous Media department of Laboratoire Navier (Univ. Gustave Eiffel – CNRS – Ecole des PontsParisTech). His main current research concerns the hygrothermal behavior of bio-based construction and textile materials.

Abstract: Most bio-based materials, such as paper, natural textiles, sponges, wood or plants, fiber panels for insulation, are porous systems through which water transfers play an essential role in the applications. A specificity of these materials is that they are also hygroscopic: they can absorb huge amounts of water, typically up to about 25% of their dry mass, from ambient vapor. The original implications are illustrated by the… continue reading

Must see…. in Albuquerque!

InterPore2025 will be in Albuquerque. This week in Must see…! in addition to InterPore2025: Discover Historic Old Town Albuquerque

Conveniently located just a short walk from Hotel Albuquerque (the location of InterPore2025) is Albuquerque’s Old Town, a vibrant hub that dates back to 1706. The heart of the city, Old Town is known for its charming adobe buildings, narrow streets, and picturesque plazas that reflect a blend of Native American, Spanish, and Mexican influences.

At the center of Old Town is the iconic San Felipe de Neri Church, one of the oldest surviving buildings in the city. Established in 1793, this stunning adobe church stands as a testament to Albuquerque’s deep-rooted Catholic heritage and architectural tradition.

Wandering through Old Town, you’ll find a myriad of shops, galleries, and museums. Art enthusiasts can admire traditional Southwestern art, while history buffs can delve into local lore at the Albuquerque Museum. The area also hosts cultural festivals and events throughout the year, bringing the community’s vibrant history to life.

Whether you’re savoring New Mexican cuisine at a local restaurant, shopping for unique handcrafted jewelry, or simply soaking in the historic ambiance, Old Town Albuquerque offers a captivating glimpse into the past, making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the city.

Photo credit: Visit Albuquerque (ABQ tourism dept.)

Nantes, France to host InterPore2026!

We are thrilled to announce that the beautiful city of Nantes, France will be the host for InterPore2026, set to take place from 18-21 May 2026. This vibrant and historic city, known for its rich cultural heritage and innovative spirit, promises to provide a stimulating backdrop for the premier event in porous media research.

Mark your calendars and prepare to join us in Nantes for an unforgettable experience. We can’t wait to see you there!

Bid now to host InterPore2027

The InterPore2027 Call for Bids is now open! The 19th Annual Meeting will be held in the Americas the week of 10 May 2027, and we are looking for a host city! Bids will be accepted from any location in North or South America. Interested parties should submit their bids no later than 01 October 2024. Any questions about the bidding process should be directed to Oleg Iliev.

New chair of the Webinar Committee

Since founding and chairing the Webinar Committee in June 2022, Sebastian Geiger has been instrumental in establishing a dynamic series of webinars. His leadership has brought in a range of excellent speakers, covering a wide array of “hot topics” in line with InterPore’s mission. Sebastian has now stepped down from the role of chair. We extend our heartfelt thanks to him for his outstanding contributions and look forward to future webinars under new guidance.

Taking over the reins is Maartje Boone, who is set to continue Sebastian’s legacy. Maartje aims to maintain the high standards of the webinar series, ensuring a diverse and engaging lineup of speakers. Her leadership is expected to further the committee’s success in providing valuable and relevant content to the InterPore community.

Introducing Maartje

I am a junior professor for “Advanced Methods in Porous Media” at the University of Stuttgart, Institute of Applied Mechanics (MIB). I’m delighted to take on the role of chair of the InterPore Webinar Committee and would like to thank Sebastian Geiger for setting a great example.

As the Webinar Committee, we are interested in speakers working on new, challenging, and important topics relevant to the porous media community. Suggestions for great speakers are very welcome.

Call for nominations for Elections 2024: Student Affairs Committee

InterPore Elections are coming up, spanning an election period from 1 – 30 November 2024.

We are still accepting nominations of candidates who would like to run for the InterPore Student Affairs Committee (SAC).

The SAC is the representative body of student members within InterPore leadership structure. Chair of SAC is a member of InterPore Council. SAC looks after the interests of students and plans activities during the InterPore annual conference. The events have in previous meetings included a career event, a social event and a game event. The plan is to organize activities during the year as well. All students are encouraged to contact the SAC if there are any issues they wish to convey to InterPore.

Joining our committee is a great way to get involved with InterPore, strengthen your resume, and build contacts in your network.

Would you like to get more involved in the SAC, or know someone who would be a great candidate? Put forth your nominations now by contacting us at sac@interpore.org!

Lectures on offer by Kimberly-Clark Distinguished Lectureship

Prof. Rainer Helmig, from the University of Stuttgart, Germany, is the Kimberly-Clark Distinguished Lecturer of 2025.

As the winner of this year’s distinguished award, Prof. Rainer Helmig will be giving one of his two lectures at selected institutions. For more information about the lectures, please visit Prof. Helmig’s page.

If your university/institution is interested in hosting Prof. Helmig, please download and fill out the application form and send it to Sandra Bartsch by 31 December 2024.

Webinar Recap

Many thanks to all those who tuned in for last week’s webinar with Robin Gerlach (Montana State University, USA) on “Biotechnology, biomineralization and biofilms in porous media.”

It was a valuable session, and we enjoyed the lively discussion that followed. For those who missed out, you can view a recording of the talk here.

Please visit our InterPore Academy page for more details on upcoming events!

Have you checked out the InterPore Journal yet? If not, you can view the current issue here.

We also invite you to consider submitting your next work to the InterPore Journal. Your participation and support are crucial to the success of this society journal and our collective advancement in porous media science and technology. Thank you for your ongoing dedication to our community!

InterPore Members can promote their publications to the community via the InterPore InJournals Section of the Newsletter. If you wish to do so, please submit your publication highlight to newsletter@InterPore.org. Clearly indicate which of the authors is an InterPore member (or the institute with an Institutional Membership). Note that we will not review the entries nor does InterPore endorse the published work. Furthermore, we publish on a “submitted first, published first” basis. The highlighted publication should be no older than 6 months (available online).

The highlight should be short (max 100 words) and contain an illustration. Please note that we offer this opportunity exclusively to InterPore members. If you would like to become a member, please have a look here.

PhD

• PhD position on developing advanced methods to understand and model CO2 storage processes. Geoenergy and Geostorage (GEGS) Research Group at UNSW’s School of Minerals & Energy Resources Engineering. Sydney, Australia

If you have a job opening in your institute and would like to promote it internationally, please send the description and weblink or PDF to newsletter@interpore.org, and we’ll be happy to add it to the list. It is also possible to post the position on the InterPore website. Log in through MyInterPore and click “Submit A Job Opening.”