Dr. Laura Spitzmüller
- Research associate
- Room: 246
CS 50.40 - Phone: +49 721 608-45049
- laura spitzmueller ∂does-not-exist.kit edu
- Adenauerring 20b
Profile
Research topic:
- Critical raw materials in geothermal fluids
- Development of nanoparticle tracers for reservoir exploration in cooperation with the Institute of Nanotechnology and Institute of Applied Physics
Projects:
ThermIon: Assessing the potential of geothermal fluids as resource for critical raw materials and evaluation of sustainable extraction technologies.
BRIDGE: German-Chilean cooperation on raw material extraction and the establishment of a virtual institute.
DFG-funded initiation of an international cooperation with Earth Sciences New Zealand. Topic: „Feasibility and setup tests for validation of Nanoparticle Tracers Shuttles (NTS)” (Project number 585706893).
Awards:
- Listed on the “Exceptional Reviewers List Q3/2025” Processes Exceptional Reviewers List 2025
- Presentation Award Research Network Functional Nanostructures Baden-Württemberg 2021
- Christian-Hecht-Award Praxisforum Geothermie Bayern 2020
- Sparkasse Environmental Award 2020 https://www.clear.kit.edu/english/1337.php
CV:
| since 2025 | Research associate / Post Doc (KIT) |
| 2023 - 2024 | Visiting researcher Earth Sciences Institute of Orléans (Universität Orléans, CNRS, BRGM) |
| 2020 - 2025 | Research associate / PhD student (KI) |
| 2017 - 2020 | M. Sc. Applied Geosciences (KIT) |
| 2014 - 2017 | B. Sc. Applied Geosciences (KIT) |
Profile links:
Theses:
Available BA/MA/Project studies:
- Raw materials in geothermal fluids – Fluid genesis, potentials and extraction processes
- Sorption and transportability of nanoparticle tracer in porous media
Completed:
- Bachelor thesis: L. M. (2026): Petrological and geochemical characterization of geothermal reservoir rock analogues in the Upper Rhine Graben
- Master thesis: M. R. (2024): Geothermal Lithium from Lower Triassic Sandstone Reservoirs in the Upper Rhine Graben – Recharge quantification by water-rock interaction experiments
- Master thesis: A. M. (2023): Comparison of the applicability of uranine, eosin, & trisodium naphthalene-1-3-6 trisulfonate as geothermal tracers in flow-through column tests with sediment from the Meletta layers
- Project study: A. M. (2022): Experimental analysis of the impact of temperature, salinity, and sorption on sediment on the fluorescence intensity of uranine, eosin and [Rub(pby)3]2+
Referenced publications
2025
Design of silica nanoparticle tracers with optimized dispersion stability, sorption and deposition properties based on (X)DLVO and filtration theory
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Kohl, T.; Schimmel, T.; Nitschke, F.
2025. Geothermics, 130, Article no: 103309. doi:10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103309
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Kohl, T.; Schimmel, T.; Nitschke, F.
2025. Geothermics, 130, Article no: 103309. doi:10.1016/j.geothermics.2025.103309
2024
Simulation of Temperature-Reporting Nanoparticle Tracers for Fractured Geothermal Reservoirs Characterization
Yan, G.; Andersen, P. Ø.; Qiao, Y.; Hatzignatiou, D. G.; Nitschke, F.; Spitzmüller, L.; Kohl, T.
2024. 85th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition (including the Workshop Programme), Oslo, 10th-13th June 2024, 1–5, European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE). doi:10.3997/2214-4609.202410850
Yan, G.; Andersen, P. Ø.; Qiao, Y.; Hatzignatiou, D. G.; Nitschke, F.; Spitzmüller, L.; Kohl, T.
2024. 85th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition (including the Workshop Programme), Oslo, 10th-13th June 2024, 1–5, European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE). doi:10.3997/2214-4609.202410850
Numerical modeling of temperature-reporting nanoparticle tracer for fractured geothermal reservoir characterization
Guoqiang, Y.; Andersen, P. Ø.; Qiao, Y.; Hatzignatiou, D. G.; Nitschke, F.; Spitzmüller, L.; Kohl, T.
2024. Geoenergy Science and Engineering, 237, 212787. doi:10.1016/j.geoen.2024.212787
Guoqiang, Y.; Andersen, P. Ø.; Qiao, Y.; Hatzignatiou, D. G.; Nitschke, F.; Spitzmüller, L.; Kohl, T.
2024. Geoenergy Science and Engineering, 237, 212787. doi:10.1016/j.geoen.2024.212787
Reporting nanoparticle tracers: Validation of performance in flow-through experiments simulating reservoir conditions
Berson, J.; Rudolph, B.; Spitzmüller, L.; Kohl, T.; Schimmel, T.
2024. Journal of Hydrology, 637, Art.-Nr.: 131429. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.131429
Berson, J.; Rudolph, B.; Spitzmüller, L.; Kohl, T.; Schimmel, T.
2024. Journal of Hydrology, 637, Art.-Nr.: 131429. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2024.131429
Temperature stability and enhanced transport properties by surface modifications of silica nanoparticle tracers for geo-reservoir exploration
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Schimmel, T.; Kohl, T.; Nitschke, F.
2024. Scientific Reports, 14 (1), Art.-Nr.: 19222. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-70132-z
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Schimmel, T.; Kohl, T.; Nitschke, F.
2024. Scientific Reports, 14 (1), Art.-Nr.: 19222. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-70132-z
Titania-Mediated Stabilization of Fluorescent Dye Encapsulation in Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Nitschke, F.; Kohl, T.; Schimmel, T.
2024. Nanoscale Advances, 6 (13), 3450–3461. doi:10.1039/D4NA00242C
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Nitschke, F.; Kohl, T.; Schimmel, T.
2024. Nanoscale Advances, 6 (13), 3450–3461. doi:10.1039/D4NA00242C
2023
Dissolution control and stability improvement of silica nanoparticles in aqueous media
Spitzmüller, L.; Nitschke, F.; Rudolph, B.; Berson, J.; Schimmel, T.; Kohl, T.
2023. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 25 (3), Article no: 40. doi:10.1007/s11051-023-05688-4
Spitzmüller, L.; Nitschke, F.; Rudolph, B.; Berson, J.; Schimmel, T.; Kohl, T.
2023. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 25 (3), Article no: 40. doi:10.1007/s11051-023-05688-4
2021
Selective Silica Removal in Geothermal Fluids : Implications for Applications for Geothermal Power Plant Operation and Mineral Extraction
Spitzmüller, L.; Goldberg, V.; Held, S.; Grimmer, J. C.; Winter, D.; Genovese, M.; Koschikowski, J.; Kohl, T.
2021. Geothermics, 95, Art.-Nr. 102141. doi:10.1016/j.geothermics.2021.102141
Spitzmüller, L.; Goldberg, V.; Held, S.; Grimmer, J. C.; Winter, D.; Genovese, M.; Koschikowski, J.; Kohl, T.
2021. Geothermics, 95, Art.-Nr. 102141. doi:10.1016/j.geothermics.2021.102141
The potential of raw material extraction from thermal brines – Successful milestones of the BrineMine project
Goldberg, V.; Winter, D.; Nitschke, F.; Rath, M.; Held, S.; Spitzmüller, L.; Budach, I.; Pavez, M.; Morata, D.; Koschikowski, J.; Kohl, T.
2021. Oil gas, (01), 26–33. doi:10.19225/210306
Goldberg, V.; Winter, D.; Nitschke, F.; Rath, M.; Held, S.; Spitzmüller, L.; Budach, I.; Pavez, M.; Morata, D.; Koschikowski, J.; Kohl, T.
2021. Oil gas, (01), 26–33. doi:10.19225/210306
Conference contributions
BRIDGE German-Chilean Institute for Element Extraction from Brines and Integrated Geological Reservoir Modeling
Nitschke, F.; Goldberg, V.; Dashti, A.; Spitzmüller, L.; Jeschull, F.; Stechern, A.; Kohl, T.
2025, June 25. Helmholtz Energy Symposium (2025), Karlsruhe, Germany, June 24–27, 2025
Nitschke, F.; Goldberg, V.; Dashti, A.; Spitzmüller, L.; Jeschull, F.; Stechern, A.; Kohl, T.
2025, June 25. Helmholtz Energy Symposium (2025), Karlsruhe, Germany, June 24–27, 2025
Design and development of nanoparticle tracers for geothermal reservoir exploration
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Nitschke, F.
2025, July 9. Goldschmidt Conference (2025), Prague, Czechia, July 6–11, 2025
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Nitschke, F.
2025, July 9. Goldschmidt Conference (2025), Prague, Czechia, July 6–11, 2025
Design and Development of Modular Nanoparticle-based Tracers for Geothermal Reservoir Exploration
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Schimmel, T.; Kohl, T.; Nitschke, F.
2025, June 20. 3rd IAGC International Conference: Water Rock Interaction-18 and Applied Isotope Geochemistry-15 (2025), Cagliari, Italy, June 16–21, 2025
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Schimmel, T.; Kohl, T.; Nitschke, F.
2025, June 20. 3rd IAGC International Conference: Water Rock Interaction-18 and Applied Isotope Geochemistry-15 (2025), Cagliari, Italy, June 16–21, 2025
Silica-based nanoparticle tracers for geo-reservoir exploration
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Nitschke, F.; Kohl, T.; Schimmel, T.
2024, December 11. Symposium Nano-BW (2024), Bad Herrenalb, Germany, December 10–11, 2024
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Nitschke, F.; Kohl, T.; Schimmel, T.
2024, December 11. Symposium Nano-BW (2024), Bad Herrenalb, Germany, December 10–11, 2024
Simulation of Temperature-Reporting Nanoparticle Tracers for Fractured Geothermal Reservoirs Characterization
Yan, G.; Andersen, P. Ø.; Qiao, Y.; Hatzignatiou, D. G.; Nitschke, F.; Spitzmüller, L.; Kohl, T.
2024. 85th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition (including the Workshop Programme), Oslo, 10th-13th June 2024, 1–5, European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE). doi:10.3997/2214-4609.202410850
Yan, G.; Andersen, P. Ø.; Qiao, Y.; Hatzignatiou, D. G.; Nitschke, F.; Spitzmüller, L.; Kohl, T.
2024. 85th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition (including the Workshop Programme), Oslo, 10th-13th June 2024, 1–5, European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE). doi:10.3997/2214-4609.202410850
Nanoparticle-based tracing techniques in geothermal reservoir: Advances, challenges and prospects
Spitzmüller, L.; Nitschke, F.; Berson, J.; Maercks, A.; Rudolph, B.; Schimmel, T.; Kohl, T.
2023. PROCEEDINGS, 48th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering
Spitzmüller, L.; Nitschke, F.; Berson, J.; Maercks, A.; Rudolph, B.; Schimmel, T.; Kohl, T.
2023. PROCEEDINGS, 48th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering
Nanoparticle-based tracing techniques in geothermal reservoir: Advances, challenges and prospects
Spitzmüller, L.; Nitschke, F.; Maercks, A.; Berson, J.; Rudolph, B.; Schimmel, T.; Kohl, T.
2023. 48th Stanford Geothermal Workshop (2023), Stanford, CA, USA, February 6–8, 2023
Spitzmüller, L.; Nitschke, F.; Maercks, A.; Berson, J.; Rudolph, B.; Schimmel, T.; Kohl, T.
2023. 48th Stanford Geothermal Workshop (2023), Stanford, CA, USA, February 6–8, 2023
Nanoparticle Tracer Development for Subsurface Reservoir Exploration
Spitzmüller, L.; Nitschke, F.; Berson, J.; Rudolph, B.; Schimmel, T.; Kohl, T.
2022. Symposium Nano-BW (2022), Bad Herrenalb, Germany, December 5–7, 2022
Spitzmüller, L.; Nitschke, F.; Berson, J.; Rudolph, B.; Schimmel, T.; Kohl, T.
2022. Symposium Nano-BW (2022), Bad Herrenalb, Germany, December 5–7, 2022
Design und Anwendung von Messenger-Nanopartikeln für die Multiparameter-Reservoirexploration
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Rudolph, B.; Nitschke, F.; Schimmel, T.; Kohl, T.
2021, December 2. Der Geothermiekongress (DGK 2021), Essen, Germany, November 30–December 2, 2021
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Rudolph, B.; Nitschke, F.; Schimmel, T.; Kohl, T.
2021, December 2. Der Geothermiekongress (DGK 2021), Essen, Germany, November 30–December 2, 2021
Design und Anwendung von Messenger Nanopartikeltracern zur Exploration geothermischer Reservoire
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Rudolph, B.; Nitschke, F.; Kohl, T.; Schimmel, T.
2021, October 7. Symposium Nano-BW (2021), Online, October 6–7, 2021
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Rudolph, B.; Nitschke, F.; Kohl, T.; Schimmel, T.
2021, October 7. Symposium Nano-BW (2021), Online, October 6–7, 2021
Design and Application of Messenger Nanoparticle Tracers for Multi-Parameter Reservoir Exploration
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Rudolph, B.; Nitschke, F.; Schimmel, T.; Kohl, T.
2021, September 24. 9th European Geothermal Workshop (EGW 2021), Karlsruhe, Germany, September 23–24, 2021
Spitzmüller, L.; Berson, J.; Rudolph, B.; Nitschke, F.; Schimmel, T.; Kohl, T.
2021, September 24. 9th European Geothermal Workshop (EGW 2021), Karlsruhe, Germany, September 23–24, 2021
Removal of Silica from geothermal water by addition of Ca(OH)2
Spitzmüller, L.; Goldberg, V.; Held, S.; Grimmer, J. C.; Winter, D.; Koschikowski, J.; Kohl, T.
2020, November 5. Student Technical Congress - German Section (STC 2020), Online, November 4–6, 2020
Spitzmüller, L.; Goldberg, V.; Held, S.; Grimmer, J. C.; Winter, D.; Koschikowski, J.; Kohl, T.
2020, November 5. Student Technical Congress - German Section (STC 2020), Online, November 4–6, 2020
Entwicklung eines elementspezifischen Fällungsprozesses zur Reduktion der Siliziumdioxidkonzentration aus geothermalen Wässern
Spitzmüller, L.; Goldberg, V.; Held, S.; Grimmer, J. C.; Winter, D.; Koschikowski, J.; Kohl, T.
2020, November 11. Der digital Geothermiekongress (DGK 2020), Essen, Germany, November 9–13, 2020
Spitzmüller, L.; Goldberg, V.; Held, S.; Grimmer, J. C.; Winter, D.; Koschikowski, J.; Kohl, T.
2020, November 11. Der digital Geothermiekongress (DGK 2020), Essen, Germany, November 9–13, 2020
Nachhaltige Rohstoffgewinnung aus Thermalwässern: das BrineMine Projekt
Goldberg, V.; Held, S.; Winter, D.; Spitzmüller, L.; Nitschke, F.; Morata, D.; Kohl, T.; Budach, I.; Koschikowski, J.
2020, November 12. Der digital Geothermiekongress (DGK 2020), Essen, Germany, November 9–13, 2020
Goldberg, V.; Held, S.; Winter, D.; Spitzmüller, L.; Nitschke, F.; Morata, D.; Kohl, T.; Budach, I.; Koschikowski, J.
2020, November 12. Der digital Geothermiekongress (DGK 2020), Essen, Germany, November 9–13, 2020