Peering at the micromechanics of the brittle-ductile transition and its effects on fluid flow

Objective

Supercritical geothermal energy is a new frontier in the pursuit of renewable, carbon-free energy. However, the extreme pressure and temperature conditions where supercritical reservoirs are found in Earth's crust coincide with the transition zone where rocks shift from brittle to ductile behaviour. Historically, this transition was believed to be a cut-off for fluid circulation, but recent findings have challenged this view, highlighting the urgent need to understand the mechanical and hydrological behaviours of rocks within this rheological domain. PERCOLATE proposes to investigate the mechanics of rock deformation and fluid flow at this brittle-ductile transition by integrating advanced rock deformation techniques, X-ray 4D imaging, machine learning-based image analysis and fluid flow modelling This project leverages my extensive experimental experience and enriches my expertise with valuable new skills in imaging and machine learning. Ultimately, PERCOLATE will contribute to the EU New Green Deal’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 by advancing our comprehension of geothermal energy and deformation in the crust.