An international gathering of researchers will convene in Besançon, France, this week to discuss teh latest advancements in gas hydrate research. The 8th annual meeting of the GDR2026 “Gas Hydrates” research group, beginning November 25th, will bring together nearly 100 scientists from 29 laboratories across Europe to explore the potential of these ice-like compounds for applications ranging from clean energy to climate change mitigation. This year’s program will feature keynote speakers and presentations focused on the molecular sciences, process engineering, geosciences, and even astrophysics related to these unique formations.
Researchers from France and across Europe will gather in Besançon, France, from November 25-27, 2025, for the 8th annual meeting of the GDR2026 “Gas Hydrates” research group, hosted at the Ibis Styles hotel.
Gas Hydrates: Definition and Significance
Gas hydrates, also known as clathrate hydrates, are solid, nanoporous compounds formed when water molecules create cage-like structures that trap gas molecules within them. The study of these compounds is gaining increasing attention as researchers explore their potential in addressing critical energy and environmental challenges.
Research into clathrate hydrates addresses a wide range of scientific and societal questions, including gas storage and transport (particularly carbon dioxide and hydrogen), the stability of marine sediments, methane release from thawing permafrost, pipeline blockages, and the potential presence of gas hydrates in astrophysical environments.
The study of clathrate hydrates draws on expertise from several disciplines:
- Molecular Sciences: Researchers analyze the fundamental mechanisms governing these compounds, including phase equilibria, formation and dissociation processes, transport phenomena, selectivity, and dynamics.
- Process Engineering: Efforts focus on developing industrial applications such as gas storage and transport, effluent capture and separation, desalination, leachate treatment, and various thermal applications.
- Geosciences: Scientists investigate how hydrates form in sediments on continental margins and in polar subsurface environments.
- Astrophysics and Planetology: Researchers study their formation in extreme environments to better understand the origin and evolution of bodies within our solar system.
A Strong Scientific Community
The French research community is particularly active in this field, thanks to the GDR2026, which brings together approximately 100 researchers from 29 laboratories, including the Institut UTINAM at the University Marie and Louis Pasteur. This collaborative effort is reflected in the significant amount of national and European funding secured through projects like ANR, COST actions, ERC grants, and INTERREG programs.
The GDR’s annual meeting will begin at 2:00 PM on November 25th and conclude at 12:00 PM on November 27th. The scientific program features four keynote presentations by leading European experts, alongside around 30 oral presentations and poster sessions.
For detailed information on the program, speakers, and participants, visit the event website: https://gdr-hydrates.sciencesconf.org
Organizing Committee: Sylvain Picaud, Ludovic Martin-Gondre, Céline Jardin (Institut UTINAM UMR 6213 CNRS – University Marie and Louis Pasteur)
