Colloids Groups

Alvaro Marin

University of Twente

Our group deals with experiments and simulations in some confined soft matter systems as, for example, colloids inside shrinking droplets or microparticles inside microchannels. Although our main drive is experimental, we often work with discrete elements simulations to reproduce the dynamics that we observe in the lab. Our research is mainly driven by curiosity and beauty, but we often end up finding interesting applications in the field of particle filtering and selection, microfluidics, ultra-sensitive detection analytes and photonics.

Andrea Giuntoli

University of Groningen

Our group develops molecular dynamics and multiscale computational models to study structure-property relationships of soft materials. We focus on complex environments where heterogeneities, confinement, and out-of-equilibrium phenomena play a major role. In collaboration with experimental groups and industries, we use our models to understand what ingredients are needed to design optimal, sustainable materials towards a better environment (such as materials used for the energy transition) or a better life (such as materials used for biomedical applications).

Arnout Imhof

University of Utrecht

We study concentrated colloidal dispersions subjected to external fields such as gravity, an electric field, or a shear flow. This way we can manipulate the particles to assemble into new structures, to undergo (non-equilibrium) phase transitions, or to form patterns. The 3-dimensional structure and dynamics are studied mainly using confocal microscopy, but also with scattering techniques and rheology. For these experiments new colloidal particles with anisotropic shapes or interactions or with a composite core-shell structure are also developed.

Claas Willem Visser

University of Twente

Our research focuses on manipulating fluids in the air to create in new advanced materials. For example, solidification of liquid templates (bubbles or droplets) on-the-fly enables rapid production of tailored soft or solid particles. Alternatively, these particles are directly 3D-printed into complex architectures, such as graded polymer foams. With collaborators, we optimize these materials for advanced functionality in e.g. acoustics, mechanics, biology, chemistry, or pharmacy.

Daniele Parisi

University of Groningen

Daniele holds A PhD in Materials Science and Technology attained at the University of Crete within the Marie Skłodowska Curie training network “COLLDENSE” (Colloids of Designed Response). Daniele is a Soft Matter experimentalist, with extensive knowledge of rheology, rheometry, polymer and colloid physics.
The research goal in the Parisi group is to understand the structural and dynamic properties of various (bio)polymeric and colloidal systems, in quiescent and under deformation conditions, to design and engineering novel impactful materials. The experimental research approach in the Parisi group involves various rheological techniques, often coupled with in-situ spectroscopy (i.e., birefringence, light scattering, Raman and FTIR), and molecular models, with the aim at linking molecular properties of polymers and macroscopic rheological response.

Daniela Kraft

University of Leiden

The soft condensed matter group of Daniela Kraft is interested in the physics and self-organization of soft matter systems. Topics include the rational design of anisotropic and patchy particles for use as model systems and self-assembly, particle-covered emulsions and virus particles.

Hans Wyss

TU Eindhoven

We use and develop experimental tools to study the structure, dynamics and rheology of soft materials, thereby revealing the physical mechanisms that govern their behavior. Current topics include the mechanics of cells and soft microgel particle systems, the use of microfluidics to control and study soft matter, colloids with anisotropic interactions, and the development of new mechanical probes.

H.Burak Eral

TU Delft

Our group’s interest is at the intersection of soft matter, transport phenomena and crystallization. We focus on fundamental principles governing out-of-equilibrium manufacturing/separation processes involving flow, phase transitions (particularly, crystallization, polymorphism) and complex fluids. Leveraging this fundamental understanding, we design sustainable processes and tailored soft materials contributing to societal challenges in water scarcity, energy transition and food security. We combine experimental techniques (microfluidics, high speed microscopy, rheology and scattering) and theoretical approaches (analytical & simulation techniques).

Jasper van der Gucht

University of Wageningen

The Wageningen Soft Matter group works on a range of diverse topics, in which macromolecules generally play an important role. Specific topics include: foams, emulsion and ionic liquids; dense particle systems; biomimetic materials; molecular modelling; proteins and engineered protein polymers; self-assembly of micelles, membranes and vesicles; hydrogels. We aim at analysing soft materials from a physics point of view and manipulating them using chemical tools and expertise.

Joost de Graaf

University of Utrecht

Our research focuses on the study of hydrodynamic flow in colloidal systems that have a close relation to biology, where physical modeling can give insights into biomedically relevant problems. Specifically, we are interested in the effect of nonlinear response of the fluid medium (viscoelasticity) on the motion of out-of-equilibrium particles and model swimmers therein, think bacteria moving through mucus. In addition, we study the effect of simple fluid flow on large numbers of colloids, e.g., colloidal gels, and the effects of electrokinetic flow on the transport of particles and ions through nanopores. We employ lattice Boltzmann, finite element methods, Stokesian dynamics, molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo, and a host of analytic techniques to tackle these problems.

Joris Sprakel

University of Wageningen

We study and develop new responsive colloidal and polymeric systems. A major aim is to identify the mechanisms for catastrophic macroscopic phenomena such as fracture, melting and phase inversion at which microscopic structures, stresses and thermal fluctuations all become of significance. We also work on manipulating this interplay at the microscopic level to create new materials with enhanced functionality.

Laura Rossi

TU Delft

We work on the design, synthesis and characterization of colloidal particles for the self-assembly of novel materials. One of the main research focus of the group is the use of magnetic interactions to induce, control and study the rational assembly of colloids into materials with specific and adaptable mechanical and optical properties. Other topics include active matter, defect dynamics, drug delivery and diagnostics.

Liesbeth Janssen

TU Eindhoven

We are interested in soft matter systems that are inherently out of thermodynamic equilibrium, ranging from non-crystalline polymers and glasses to active and living matter. We employ a combination of statistical-mechanical theory, analytical modeling, and computer simulations to study the structural, dynamical, and mechanical response properties of such materials. The aim is two-fold: firstly, we seek to gain new fundamental insight into the physics of soft and living matter, focusing mainly on the relation between microstructure and emergent dynamics; secondly, we aim to develop new theoretical tools that will ultimately allow us to rationally design, control, and optimize functional materials with adaptive, life-like, and "smart" properties.

Marjolein Dijkstra

University of Utrecht

Our research focuses on theory and computer simulations of soft condensed matter systems to study physical phenomena like phase transitions, glass and jamming transitions, gelation, and nucleation in bulk systems and systems subjected to external fields like sedimentation, electric fields, etc. We employ Monte Carlo, (event driven) Molecular and Brownian Dynamics simulations, Stochastic Rotational Dynamics simulations to include hydrodynamics, Umbrella and Forward flux sampling, and simulated annealing techniques to predict densest packings, candidate (crystal) structures and to determine the (non)-equilibrium phase behavior of colloids, nanoparticles, liquid crystals, etc.

Mark Vis

TU Eindhoven

We want to deepen our understanding of depletion interactions in colloid–polymer mixtures and the phase behavior of these systems. Our focus is to move towards more realistic and more complex systems, featuring for instance charged species or anisotropic particles. We further focus on quantifying the structure of interfaces in these phase-separated colloidal systems. We approach these topics through a combination of theoretical and experimental methods, such as free-volume theory, self-consistent field computations, and light and X-ray scattering. Additionally, we work on (deep) eutectic solvents, which we similarly approach from both theory and experiments.

Peter Bolhuis

University of Amsterdam and Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling

We study rare events in soft matter and biomolecular systems, including folding of proteins, biomolecular isomerization and association, soft matter self-assembly and nucleation, and active matter transitions. In order to gain insight in such processes and make predictions, we conduct multiscale modeling simulations using rare event and coarse-graining techniques. In addition, we develop novel advanced simulation methods, including machine learning based techniques. The final aim is to predict biophysical and soft matter properties, to understand complex systems and design novel materials.

Peter Schall

University of Amsterdam

We investigate soft condensed matter at the micron scale - crystallization and phase separations, solid and liquid-like behavior, elastic and plastic properties. Using three-dimensional microscopic imaging and light scattering we bridge length scales from the particle scale to macroscopic lengths, thereby linking the microscopic behavior of these materials to their macroscopic properties.

Remco Tuinier

TU Eindhoven

In the Laboratory of Physical Chemistry we study the i) self-organization of colloids and polymers, ii) phase behaviour (and dynamics) of colloidal and colloid-polymer mixtures and iii) polymers & colloids at surfaces. For theme i applications involve the controlled encapsulation of compounds that need protection and/or need to be released at a desired rate. Topic ii aims at gaining a better understanding of the phase stability and dynamics in complex mixtures of colloids and polymers and bringing the knowledge towards mixtures in which the particles have realistic interactions (such as charges, soft repulsions). Applications involve understanding phase stability of complex mixtures such as food and (drying) paint. Theme iii involves the development of advanced (modified) surfaces for anti-(bio)fouling, controlled absorption/release and specific (bio)adhesion using tuned chemistry and topography as well as modifying surfaces to understand wettability, swelling, oil/water interaction(s).

René van Roij

Institute for Theoretical Physics, Utrecht

Our research has a focus on theoretical and numerical analyses of thermodynamics, structure, and (hydro)dynamics of a variety of liquids and soft matter systems on the basis of statistical physics, classical (dynamic) density functional theory and transport theory combined with numerical finite-element calculations. Systems of interest include (i) electrolytes (ionic liquids, organic solvents, supercapacitors, electro-kinetics, blue energy, enhanced oil recovery), (ii) self-assembly in colloidal dispersions (bulk phase behaviour, crystals and liquid crystals of odd-shaped particles with flexibility/chirality/biaxiality), (iii) active matter (search for a thermodynamic formalism, self-propulsion mechanisms, swim efficiency), and (iv) interfacial phenomena (adsorption, wetting, capillarity, 2D self-assembly). We focus on fundamental questions but also study the underlying physics of devices and their applications where possible. We intensively collaborate with computer simulation and experimental groups.

Roel Dullens

Radboud University

In our group, we work at the interface of chemistry, physics and materials science and combine synthetic colloid chemistry (cooking) with state-of-the-art optical imaging (looking) and manipulation techniques (tweezing) to gain fundamental insight into a wide range of problems in condensed matter science. With our ‘cooking’ we develop new colloidal particles and tune their chemical and physical properties, whilst we ‘look’ at them using various forms of optical microscopy, and finally we manipulate and deform colloidal systems using optical ‘tweezing’. Examples of problems that we work on include colloidal banana-shaped liquid crystals, grain boundaries and defect in colloidal crystals, two-dimensional systems and driven colloidal systems.

Willem Kegel

University of Utrecht

We are interested in the mechanisms that govern the spontaneous formation of ordered structures from colloidal building blocks. Inspired by the rich complexity in biology, we develop and study new colloidal model systems in which both the geometry of the colloids and the orientation dependent interactions between them can be tuned. While emphasis is on experiments, theory plays an important role in our approach.

Wouter Ellenbroek

TU Eindhoven

We research the physical foundations of novel (often bio-inspired) materials that respond to their environment in interesting or useful ways. Using and developing numerical methods such as molecular dynamics, as well as analytical tools based in statistical physics, we study the (two-way!) interplay between mechanical forces and structural properties of novel responsive materials.