Self-organisation in complex colloids
Colloids are materials in the solid, liquid or gas phase that have particles dispersed throughout them. They include common foams and aerosols. Complex colloids form an important subdiscipline of soft matter physics and are foreseen for use in photonic or phononic band gap materials, chemical sensors and data storage devices. Tunability of the interactions within the colloids will be the key to exploitation. It opens the door to novel ordering, structuring and flow scenarios potentially accomplished via controlled self-assembly. However, this requires deep understanding of common underlying mechanisms of self-organisation leading to accurate prediction and engineering of structure formation. The collaborative EU-funded project 'Physics of complex colloids: Equilibrium and driven' (COMPLOIDS)(opens in new window) was launched by 12 European partners to gain and apply this knowledge. The project was a phenomenal success with results fully achieving or surpassing original scientific goals and opening up new avenues of research in soft matter physics. A wealth of publications was generated, many in the most esteemed journals in the field, including Nature, Science, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Along the way, the consortium supported the training of numerous early-stage researchers and experienced researchers, contributing to their scientific and career development and achievement of advanced degrees. Advanced methods in theoretical, computational and experimental aspects of modern research in soft matter science are now part of the toolbox of trainees. The team also organised a highly prestigious Enrico Fermi Summer School with the title 'Physics of Complex Colloids', hosting nine full-time lecturers and six featured speakers from around the world. The proceedings have been published and are expected to be a reference standard, a legacy of the project's work for future generations. The tremendous success led to an invitation by the Italian Physical Society to conduct another Summer School in 2015. COMPLOIDS scientists succeeded in reducing the complexity of complex colloids and have paved the way to their exploitation thanks to deeper understanding of the mechanisms of self-organisation. Lasting impact will be felt throughout the soft matter physics community and knowledge gained may soon be exploited in exciting new devices.
