I am a Presidential Fellow (equivalent to assistant professor) focusing on Multi-scale imaging and characterization of rocks (Digital rocks) in geoenergy reservoirs and subsurface energy storage. I am also the theme lead of subsurface energy and storage at University of Manchester at Harwell

My current research aims to build novel and advanced 3D/4D digital approaches and correlative experiments to fully understand the complicated pore networks and the reactions of subsurface energy (e.g. natural gas, geothermal, hydrogen and CO2) with rocks under subsurface conditions (e.g. temperature, pressure, and chemistry) cross multiple scales (nm to cm). Machine learning tools and image based modeling are applied for enhanced understanding of these topics. My research aims to achieve the goal of enabling economic growth and environment protection via applications of clean energy extraction and subsurface energy storage.

I have secured over 2 million pounds grant as a PI and participated in over 7 million pounds project as a co-I/WP leads in the last six years. These project covers a wide range of topics including shale gas, carbon storage, geothermal and aquifer heat storage, underground hydrogen storage and nuclear waste disposal.

PhD applications and research collaborations are welcome. lin.ma@manchester.ac.uk

Digital Rocks for Net Zero Energy

multi-scale 3D and 4D imaging characterisation of geo-energy storage

1. Multi-scale Imaging characterisation of pores and rocks (sub-nano scale to cm-scale)

2. 4D imaging of fluid-rock interaction under subsurface conditions (250°C & 3600Psi) 

3. Upscaling of pore network from nm-scale to mm-scale

4. CO2 sequestration and reaction in shales

5. Time-lapse imaging of fines migration and filter cake

6. Mineral precipitation and dissolution induced by artificial operations

7. Multi-scale investigation of subsurface energy storage

The applications include shale gas/oil, carbon storage and sequestration, geothermal and heat storage, nuclear wate disposal, Hydrogen and compressed air storage etc.

PhD applications and research collaborations are welcome. More details see research interests.

Current opening PhD positions:

1. Multi-scale characterisation of the subsurface system for decarbonation energy

2. Deep learning assisted imaging analysis and upscaling

3. Deep learning assisted image enhancement and analysis to accelerate energy decarbonisation in the subsurface

4. EPSRC/NNL - Upscaling fundamental controls on fluid migration in the Mercia Mudstone Group based on 3D multi-scale imaging and modelling

Contact lin.ma@manchester.ac.uk for more details

Presidential fellow/ Lecturer, University of Manchester 2020-

Research Fellow, University of Manchester 2018-2019

PDRA, University of Manchester, 2016-2017

PhD Petroleum geosciences, University of Manchester, 2012-2015

MSc Petroleum geology, Jilin University, 2009-2012

BSc Petroleum geology, Jilin University, 2005-2009

PhD students: 

• Chenzi Shi (2018- 2023): Time-lapse imaging of fines migration within hydrocarbon reservoirs (co-supervised)
• Ke Wang (2019-2023): Multi-scale investigation of CO2-induced microstructural and mechanical alterations in rocks (co-supervised)
• Shuangyi Gong (2020- ): Pore-scale investigation on fluid-rock interaction of geothermal and heat storage sub-surface reservoirs (co-supervised)
• Ziyu Zhang (2021-): Multi-scale investigation of thermal-hydro-mechanical-chemical processes in carbon sequestration, a case study of Teesside 
• Heather Braid (2021-): Multi-scale and multi-approach investigation of subsurface hydrogen storage
• Xin Zhong (2022-): Nano-scale imaging and modeling of gas transport in clay-rich mudstones
• Camilo Salazar (2022-): Subsurface storage potentials for flow betteries
• Ali Bony Kaya (2023-): Deep learning asssited imaging processing and upscaling