Sandia’s Geoscience Research and Applications Group organized and sponsored the 11th SaltMech conference July 8-10, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. SaltMech XI focused on research findings and practical experiences regarding the mechanical behavior of rock salt in the context of safe use in mining, energy storage and waste disposal.
“This is the world’s premier community of experts on salt mechanics and our group was very excited to hold the conference in New Mexico to highlight Sandia’s geosciences expertise, New Mexico’s terrific salt resources and the state’s rich cultural history,” said Don Conley, acting senior manager of the Geoscience Research and Applications Group.
The conference opened with remarks from Erik Webb, director of Sandia’s Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Grid Modernization Program, and retired Sandian Steven Sobolik. The program continued with sessions on laboratory testing, field and geological investigations, micromechanics and microstructures, geological and engineered barriers, mining and mine integrity, modeling and simulation, and geological storage of hydrogen, among others.
Conley was particularly excited about the session on geological storage of hydrogen, as Sandia has significant expertise in this area. “Hydrogen in the subsurface is a promising way to enhance U.S. energy security in an affordable and reliable way.”
Read a special report by Sandia scientists Don Conley and Franek Hasiuk on the critical science and engineering needs for the development of geologic hydrogen — hydrogen that occurs naturally or through engineered processes in the subsurface.
The conference drew an international audience of 100 participants from government, academia and industry. In addition to the technical sessions, participants were invited on a field trip to explore the geological and cultural history of the area between Santa Fe and Taos, including the Rio Grande Gorge and the Taos Pueblo.
The conference proceedings will eventually be made available electronically through open access. View the proceedings from the previous conference held in July 2022 in The Netherlands.