Fluids, Colloids and Soft Materials: An Introduction to Soft Matter Physics

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Soft Matter ◽  
Soft Materials ◽  
Soft Matter Physics

Introduction to molecular simulations in soft matter

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-L. Barrat ◽  
J. J. de Pablo
Keyword(s):  
Phase Space ◽  
Numerical Methods ◽  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Soft Matter ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Soft Interfaces ◽  
Molecular Scale ◽  
Soft Matter Physics ◽  
The Continuum

We describe the main features of the coarse-grained models that are typically useful in modelling soft interfaces, from force fields to the continuum descriptions involving density fields. We explain the theoretical basis of the main numerical methods that are used to explore the phase space associated with these models. Finally, three recent examples, illustrating the spirit in which relatively simple simulations can contribute to solving pending problems in soft matter physics, are briefly described. Clearly, a short series of lectures can offer, at best, a biased and restricted view of the available approaches. Our aim here will be to provide the reader with such an overview, with a focus on methods and descriptions that ‘bridge the scale’ between the molecular scale and the continuum or quasi-continuum one. The objective to present a guide to the relevant literature—which has now to a large extent appeared in the form of textbooks.

Application of video microscopy in experimental soft matter physics

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (18) ◽  
pp. 1840012
Author(s):  
Hao Feng ◽  
Huaguang Wang ◽  
Zexin Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Video Processing ◽  
Soft Matter ◽  
Colloidal Suspensions ◽  
Real Space ◽  
Video Microscopy ◽  
Quantitative Image ◽  
Soft Matter Physics ◽  
Microscopic World ◽  
The One ◽  
Microscopic Measurement

Combining precise microscopic measurement with quantitative image analysis, video microscopy has become one of the most important, real-space experiment techniques to study the microscopic properties of soft matter systems. On the one hand, it provides a basic tool to observe and record the microscopic world. On the other hand, it offers a powerful experiment method to study the underlying physics of the microscopic world. In this paper, we review the development of the video microscopy, introduce the corresponding hardware and video processing software, and summarize the typical applications and recent progresses of video microscopy in colloidal suspensions. The future of the video microscopy in the soft condensed matter physics and interdisciplinary research is discussed.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in Conservation–Dissipation Formalism for Irreversible Processes

Entropy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 1447
Author(s):  
Liangrong Peng ◽  
Liu Hong
Keyword(s):  
Soft Matter ◽  
Irreversible Processes ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Classical Models ◽  
Fourier Heat Conduction ◽  
Soft Matter Physics ◽  
Novel Applications ◽  
Fokker Planck Equations ◽  
Mathematical Foundations ◽  
Well Posed

The main purpose of this review is to summarize the recent advances of the Conservation–Dissipation Formalism (CDF), a new way for constructing both thermodynamically compatible and mathematically stable and well-posed models for irreversible processes. The contents include but are not restricted to the CDF’s physical motivations, mathematical foundations, formulations of several classical models in mathematical physics from master equations and Fokker–Planck equations to Boltzmann equations and quasi-linear Maxwell equations, as well as novel applications in the fields of non-Fourier heat conduction, non-Newtonian viscoelastic fluids, wave propagation/transportation in geophysics and neural science, soft matter physics, etc. Connections with other popular theories in the field of non-equilibrium thermodynamics are examined too.

scholarly journals Paraspeckles are constructed as block copolymer micelles through microphase separation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomohiro Yamazaki ◽  
Tetsuya Yamamoto ◽  
Hyura Yoshino ◽  
Sylvie Souquere ◽  
Shinichi Nakagawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Block Copolymer ◽  
Soft Matter ◽  
Microphase Separation ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Internal Organization ◽  
Ribonucleoprotein Complexes ◽  
Block Copolymer Micelles ◽  
Copolymer Micelles ◽  
Rna Domains ◽  
Soft Matter Physics

SummaryParaspeckles are constructed by NEAT1_2 architectural long noncoding RNAs and possess characteristic cylindrical shapes with highly ordered internal organization, distinct from typical liquid–liquid phase-separated condensates. We experimentally and theoretically investigated how the shape and organization of paraspeckles are determined. We identified the NEAT1_2 RNA domains responsible for shell localization of the NEAT1_2 ends, which determine the characteristic internal organization. We then applied a theoretical framework using soft matter physics to understand the principles that determine the NEAT1_2 organization, shape, number, and size of paraspeckles. By treating paraspeckles as amphipathic block copolymer micelles, we could explain and predict the experimentally observed behaviors of paraspeckles upon NEAT1_2 domain deletions or transcriptional modulation. Thus, we propose that paraspeckles are block copolymer micelles assembled through microphase separation. This work provides an experimentally-based theoretical framework for the concept that ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs) can act as block copolymers to form RNA-scaffolding microphase-separated condensates in cells.

1. The science of softness

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Tom McLeish
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Community ◽  
Soft Matter ◽  
Soft Materials ◽  
Visionary Leadership ◽  
Slow Dynamics ◽  
Length Scales ◽  
New Science ◽  
Motion Structure

‘The science of softness’ provides a brief history and overview of soft matter science. The development of soft matter science was propelled by a combination of communication within the scientific community; intrinsic conceptual overlap and commonality; and visionary leadership from a small number of pioneering scientists. Chemistry proved as essential an ingredient to the new science of soft matter as ideas and techniques from physics. The characteristics of soft matter include motion; structure on intermediate length scales; slow dynamics; and universality. Microscopy is the most obvious and direct example of experimental tools applied across the gamut of soft materials.

Phase Separation in Soft Matter Physics

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pulat K. Khabibullaev ◽  
Abdulla A. Saidov
Keyword(s):  
Phase Separation ◽  
Soft Matter ◽  
Soft Matter Physics

scholarly journals Modern discovery in soft-matter physics

Physics Today ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Soft Matter ◽  
Soft Matter Physics

scholarly journals Liquid crystal elastomer shell actuators with negative order parameter

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. eaaw2476 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. S. R. Jampani ◽  
R. H. Volpe ◽  
K. Reguengo de Sousa ◽  
J. Ferreira Machado ◽  
C. M. Yakacki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Order Parameter ◽  
Soft Matter ◽  
Orientational Order ◽  
Liquid Crystallinity ◽  
Liquid Crystal Elastomer ◽  
Negative Order ◽  
Value Range ◽  
Scalar Order Parameter ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Soft Matter Physics

Liquid crystals (LCs) are nonsolids with long-range orientational order, described by a scalar order parameter〈P2〉=12〈3cos2β−1〉. Despite the vast set of existing LC materials, one-third of the order parameter value range,−1/2< 〈P2〉 < 0, has until now been inaccessible. Here, we present the first material with negative LC order parameter in its ground state, in the form of elastomeric shells. The optical and actuation characteristics are opposite to those of conventional LC elastomers (LCEs). This novel class of anti-ordered elastomers gives access to the previously secluded range of liquid crystallinity with 〈P2〉 < 0, providing new challenges for soft matter physics and adding a complementary type of LCE actuator that is attractive for applications in, e.g., soft robotics.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document