Research Areas
Soft condensed matter is one of the fastest growing fields of physics. It encompasses a wide range of systems, such as self-assembling nanostructures, liquid crystals, biological cells, polymers and nanomaterials. The group’s research combines experiment and theory to answer questions about the structure, properties and dynamics of soft systems. It is supported by international companies, research councils, charities and the European Union.
Soft matter exhibits a very rich variety of fascinating phenomena, which lead to a wide range of everyday applications, from foods to adhesives, and also to high-tech applications in optoelectronics, sensors and ‘smart’ surfaces. The group has an international profile, and research discoveries have been highlighted in world-leading journals, including Science and Nature. Particular strengths include modelling protein dynamics, liquid crystal elastomers, water dynamics in cement and porous media, novel nanocomposites, and polymers in coatings and adhesives.
Follow the links to the left for more information on research.
We have a strong reputation for research. We regularly publish our results in leading international journals, such as Physical Review Letters and Advanced Materials, and our work has been highlighted in Science and Nature. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), the majority of the Group's research was classified as either world leading or internationally excellent.
Our research on carbon nanotubes in sticky adhesives was highlighted in the journal Science. Our work on protein crystallisation was featured in Nature and ScienceNOW. The image just above is from this work. The faceted object is a crystal of protein lysozyme that has been induced to grow on a sheet made from carbon nanotubes - this sheet is the black rectangle. The protein lysozyme is found both in human tears and in chicken eggs. Experiment done by Piyapong Asanithi.
