New EU project investigates soft matter physics
EU-funded researchers have launched an in-depth study of colloids in order to understand the nature of soft matter physics. The results of the project will help European physicists manufacture novel materials in soft matter in cooperation with the project's participating high-tech EU companies. Their strong collaboration will drive state-of-the-art colloidal science across the EU. The COMPLOIDS ('Physics of complex colloids: Equilibrium and driven') project has received EUR 4.7 million under the People Theme of the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), part of the Specific Programme Marie Curie actions for researcher mobility, career development, conferences, grants and fellowships, and is being led by the University of Vienna in Austria. The 10-strong consortium is studying the molecular structure of colloids to find out how complex colloid particles organise themselves and behave. Colloids are chemical mixtures in which one material is evenly dispersed throughout another. They are made up of particles larger than atoms or molecules, but not big enough to be seen with the naked eye. With much progress being made in the fields of nanotechnology, biophysics and polymer synthesis, the science of colloids is becoming increasingly important. The COMPLOIDS team is investigating the molecular structure of soft materials which in spite of their different appearances - think of shaving foam, mayonnaise or paint - have surprising similarities: they all depend on how their molecules are organised rather than the type of molecule. The major challenge for scientists working in colloidal science is to make colloidal particles assemble into a desired structure. For this to be achieved, the interaction between the colloidal particles needs to be carefully controlled by, for example, either putting them in an electric or magnetic field, suspending them in a liquid crystal or an oil-water type mixture or by using rod-like or disc-like particles rather than spheres. Other important factors that need to be better understood are the dynamics and ageing of colloidal dispersions. Once the project ends in 2013, the COMPLOIDS team hopes its final results will include the knowledge, methods and strategies needed to make materials and products based on colloids. Ideas for future use of state-of-the-art colloid technology could include such breakthroughs as advanced methods for oil recovery techniques and the development of a new generation of tyres. The COMPLOIDS project will provide all consortium members with a stimulating research environment including summer schools, workshops, and hands-on courses. The team is from across the EU and includes the Universities of Edinburgh and Cambridge in the UK, the University of Stuttgart in Germany, the University of Rome in Italy, the Foundation for Research and Technology in Greece, and the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia.
Countries
Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Slovenia