We experimentally validate a relatively recent electrokinetic formulation of the streaming potential (SP) coefficient as developed by Pride (1994). The start of our investigation focuses on the streaming potential coefficient, which gives rise to the coupling of mechanical and electromagnetic fields. It is found that the theoretical amplitude values of this dynamic SP coefficient are in good agreement with the normalized experimental results over a wide frequency range, assuming no frequency dependence of the bulk conductivity. By adopting the full set of electrokinetic equations, a full-waveform wave propagation model is formulated. We compare the model predictions, neglecting the interface response and modeling only the coseismic fields, with laboratory measurements of a seismic wave of frequency 500 kHz that generates electromagnetic signals. Agreement is observed between measurement and electrokinetic theory regarding the coseismic electric field. The governing equations are subsequently adopted to study the applicability of seismoelectric interferometry. It is shown that seismic sources at a single boundary location are sufficient to retrieve the 1D seismoelectric responses, both for the coseismic and interface components, in a layered model.

The curvature dependence of the surface tension is central to the nucleation of liquids, but remains difficult to access experimentally and predict theoretically. This curvature dependence arises from the curvature-dependent molecular structure, which, for small nuclei, can deviate significantly from that of the planar liquid interface. Simulations and density functional theory have been used to predict this curvature dependence, however with contradicting results. Here, we provide the first direct measurement of the curvature-dependent surface tension in nucleating colloidal liquids. We employ critical Casimir forces to finely adjust colloidal particle interactions and induce liquid nucleation, and image individual nuclei at the particle scale to measure their curvature-dependent surface tension directly from thermally excited surface distortions. Using continuum models, we elucidate the interplay between nucleus structure, particle pair potential, and surface tension. Our results reveal a 20% lower surface tension for nuclei of critical size compared to bulk liquids, leading to 3 orders of magnitude higher nucleation rates, thus highlighting the importance of surface tension curvature corrections for accurate prediction of nucleation rates.

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SUMMARYFor a water-saturated cap-rock, which consists of a low-permeability porous material, the wettability of the reservoir rock-connate water-CO2 system and the interfacial tension (IFT) between CO2 and connate water are the significant parameters for the evaluation of the capillary sealing. Also, the amount of capillary-trapped CO2 depends on the wettability of reservoir rocks. The wettability of the rock matrix has a strong effect on the distribution of phases within the pore space and thus on the entire displacement mechanism and storage capacity. In this work, the equilibrium contact angles of water/shale system were determined with CO2 for a wide range of pressures at a constant temperature of 318 K by using the dynamic captive bubble method. The results reveal that intermediate-wet conditions and hence possible leakage of CO2 must to be considered at relatively high pressures, however, the salt concentration of the water in the shales plays an important role too. The results show that this estimate is highly dependent on the pore structure, fluid composition and pressure/temperature conditions of the reservoirs. These properties need to be first evaluated before estimates for shale capillarity is used.