https://tue.osiris-student.nl/onderwijscatalogus/extern/cursus?cursuscode=3MS020&collegejaar=2025&taal=enThis course explores the behavior of soft condensed matter from a physical perspective. We will study the relevant intermolecular interactions, structure, (fluid) dynamics, mechanics, and thermodynamics of some of the most common soft materials, such as liquids, colloids, polymers and gels, liquid crystals, surfactants, and biological materials.)In this course the student will be able to:
- Describe the main characteristics of synthetic and biological soft matter (including colloids, polymers, micelles, membranes, liquid crystals);
- Explain how molecular interactions relate to the meso- and macroscopic properties in such systems;
- Explain and apply physical concepts of wetting and interfacial phenomena in soft matter and microfluidics;
- Derive and analyze under which conditions mixing and phase separation can take place in polymers and colloidal suspensions;
- Derive and explain the thermodynamic origin and dynamics of Brownian motion and diffusion;
- Discuss the effects of spatial and dynamic correlations in soft matter;
- Derive and explain the (visco)elastic and rheological properties of polymers and membranes;
- Derive, solve, and apply theories for ionic soft matter;
- Apply concepts of soft matter physics in the context of non-equilibrium active matter;
- Summarize and analyze a (state-of-the-art) scientific paper on soft matter physics.
Written examination