InterPore2026

Fluid transfers through versatile dynamic NMR relaxometry

22 May 2026, 14:45

15m

Oral Presentation (MS05) Physics of multiphase flow in diverse porous media MS05

Speaker

Mr Benjamin Maillet (Laboratoire Navier, Université Gustave Eiffel)

Description

For years, our group has been developing innovative experimental methodologies [1] to monitor liquid transfer in porous media and complex fluids using dynamic NMR relaxometry. Combined with MRI, this non-invasive, multiscale, and time-resolved approach enables the individual tracking of all out-of-equilibrium protonic liquid phases during processes such as drying, imbibition, or internal water redistribution in model nanoporous media [2], for various applications involving geo-based (clay, granular systems) or bio-based materials (wood, paper, plant fibers Fig. 1) and gels [4]. Here we show how in this context original quantitative information can be extracted from the detailed analysis of the evolution of the NMR relaxation time distributions over time during such transfers, revealing phenomena such as wetting and dewetting, chemical instabilities of the solid matrix, or the progressive loss of moisture homogeneity inside non-transparent materials — information that is highly valuable for improving predictive physical models of liquid transport for a large range of scale corresponding to all liquid states. Several examples will be presented to illustrate the versatility and robustness of this approach.