Basel Ahmad Shabab
Hometown: Chattogram City, Bangladesh
Undergraduate Degree: Petroleum and Mining Engineering
Research Title: Investigation of Wellbore Integrity in Underground Hydrogen Storage
Research Story: According to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and renewable energy services by 2030 is a critical objective. Hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in achieving this goal. My research focuses on the potential of storing hydrogen in underground depleted reservoirs, effectively utilizing subsurface formations as large-scale storage tanks to meet energy demands when they exceed supply. Specifically, I investigate how key wellbore components—such as elastomers, steel, and cement—are affected by exposure to various extents of hydrogen gas mixtures, formation water, and microbial cultures, and how their characteristics evolve under these conditions.
Why did you choose the Mining and Minerals Engineering Department at Virginia Tech?
The Mining and Minerals Engineering Department at Virginia Tech is renowned worldwide for its excellence. Its state-of-the-art laboratory facilities equip me with the innovative tools and resources essential for experimental research, enabling me to explore projects I once thought beyond reach.
How did you get interested in mining?
My interest in mining engineering stems from a deep passion for energy and its relationship with the Earth's geology. I've always been fascinated by how energy is stored beneath the surface, and mining engineering provides the knowledge and techniques to unlock and harness that energy. This field allows me to explore both the natural world and the innovative processes that drive energy extraction.
What's the best piece of advice you have been given for starting graduate school?
The best advice I received about succeeding in graduate school is that success comes not from what I already know, but from recognizing the importance of hard work and dedication.
What advice do you have for future graduate students?
Grad study is a marathon, not a sprint!
What's your favorite place you have traveled?
Saint Martins is a small island in the Bay of Bengal, a few kilometers away from the mainland. It has clear blue water and beaches which makes it my favorite place to visit ever.
What's your favorite thing about Virginia Tech?
My favorite thing about Virginia Tech is that this campus has ample space to sit and read almost everywhere. It feels wholesome to explore tiny little spots to get away from the chaos and indulge in reading. Also, those take-one-leave-one bookshelves that I occasionally stumble upon to find something interesting.
