Contact

Prof. Dr. Vinzenz Brendler

Head of Department
Thermo­dynamics of Actinides
v.brendler@hzdr.de
Phone: +49 351 260 2430

Dr. Stephan Hilpmann

Research Scientist
Thermo­dynamics of Actinides
s.hilpmannAthzdr.de
Phone: +49 351 260 2860

Email: kursiv@hzdr.de

2nd KuRSiv Workshop: From Laboratory to Repository: Thermodynamic Modelling of Contaminant Retardation

What?

With this 2nd workshop on thermodynamic modelling, From Laboratory to Repository: Thermodynamic Modelling of Contaminant Retardation, we aim to provide a platform to discuss ongoing research, current challenges, and open questions related to retention processes relevant for deep geological disposal. A central theme of the workshop is how laboratory-scale experiments and mechanistic understanding can be translated into robust thermodynamic and reactive-transport models that inform repository-scale safety assessments.

We will explore modelling approaches for key retention mechanisms and critically examine the steps required to move from raw experimental data to reliable model predictions. Special emphasis will be placed on:

  • Identifying and handling data gaps, and understanding how missing or uncertain data influence model outcomes and large-scale predictions.
  • General parameterization strategies for complex models, such as CD-MUSIC and multi-site surface complexation models.
  • Trust in models, focusing on transparency, reproducibility, and the importance of uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analyses to assess confidence in model predictions.
  • Limitations of experimental timescales, e.g. how short-term experiments can (or cannot) be used to infer long-term behavior relevant for repository conditions.

The workshop encourages active exchange between PhD students, postdocs, and senior scientists. Participants are invited to present their research, highlighting open questions and modelling challenges. Keynote talks and panel discussions will provide opportunities to jointly tackle topics such as competitive sorption, kinetics, dissolution and precipitation reactions, database consistency, and strategies for deriving thermodynamic parameters from incomplete or imperfect datasets.

When?

17th -19th March 2026 (from noon to noon)

Where?

Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e. V., Bautzner Landstr. 400, Dresden, Germany

Foto: Anfahrt HZDR ©Copyright:

More travel information are given here!

Who?

PhDs, Postdocs, and senior scientists. Capacity: 20 participants

How?

Workshop language is English

Highlights

  • Exchange and connect with other PhDs and senior scientists.
  • Explore how your surface complexation and reactive-transport data can support the repository siting process.
  • Gain valuable insights from current case studies of other participants.
  • Participate in problem-solving sessions with interactive group work.
  • Tackle open questions.

Registration details

Deadline for registration and submission of abstracts (ca. 350 words) for oral/poster presentations is 27th February 2026. Please send your registration and abstract to kursiv@hzdr.de. Also indicate if you would prefer a talk or a poster.

Note: Registration and participation are free of charge!

Tentative Agenda

All timeslots (45 min for keynotes and 30 min for participants) include 10 min discussion. Keynote titles are only preliminary ones and may be updated.

Tuesday, 17th March
14:00 – 14:30 Welcome and Introduction
14:30 – 15:15 Keynote T. Philipp (BASE): Nuclear waste disposal in Germany - Site selection and safety analysis
15:15– 16:00 Keynote P. Kreye (BGE): Safety assessments within the framework of the German site selection process for high-level radioactive waste
16:00 – 16:30 Break
16:30 – 17:30 Presentations by participants (2)
18:00 – 20:00 Get together with snacks and posters
Wednesday, 18th March
09:00 – 09:45 Keynote H. Shao (UFZ): Introduction to the OpenGeoSys reactive transport code package and applications cases
09:45 – 11:45 Presentations by participants (4)
12:00 – 13:30 Lunch buffet
13:30 – 14:15 Keynote M. De Lucia (GFZ): AI/ML-assisted geochemical and reactive transport models
14:15 – 15:00 Keynote M. Hecht (HZDR-CASUS): The Fast Newton Transform: Faster Simulation and Machine Learning for Large Scale Simulations
15:00 – 16:00 Presentations by participants (2)
16:00 – 16:30 Break
16:30 – 17:30 Round table discussions
19:00 Dinner (self-payer – restaurant)
Thursday, 19th March
09:30 – 12:00 Presentations by participants (5)
12:00 – 12:30 Wrap-up
12:45 Lunch buffet

Need help?

Please contact: Stephan Hilpmann (s.hilpmann@hzdr.de), Vinzenz Brendler (v.brendler@hzdr.de – on vacation until 3.3.2026!)

We are looking forward to seeing you soon!

Best regards, Vinzenz Brendler and Stephan Hilpmann

On behalf of the organizing team: