Invitation to Geo Zhang's PhD Defense: Advanced Lab-on-Chip Platforms To Investigate Formation Dryout and Salt Precipitation During CO₂ Storage

Dear all, Happy Summer! I hope you are doing well. I am pleased to invite you to my PhD defense. Thesis title: Advanced Lab-on-Chip Platforms To Investigate Formation Dryout and Salt Precipitation During CO₂ Storage Date and time: Tuesday, August 11, 2:00–5:00 pm Location: Green 365 (online meeting link will be provided later) Abstract: Decarbonization requires a mechanistic understanding of physical and societal systems across scales. My research combines advanced experiments with artificial intelligence while ensuring that the results remain measurable, transparent, and grounded in real-world processes. I developed advanced microfluidic “rock-on-chip” platforms to visualize pH changes, brine dry-out, and salt precipitation during CO₂ storage, supporting physically explainable modeling. Also, generative AI is adopted to create realistic, fabrication-ready rock structures from images and validated experimentally. In addition, we step into how LLMs, statistical models, news sentiment, and multi-model approaches can improve the interpretation of carbon-credit market understanding. Together, these methods support more accountable experimentation, modeling, and decision-making for sustainability. View image here I look forward to seeing you there! Best regards, Geo