Soft Condensed Matter, Biophysics, Statistical Physics
Soft condensed matter comprises classes of materials whose properties are dominated by fluctuations and correlations. In addition to complex liquids (polymers, liquid crystals, gels), in particular, biomolecules, cells, and the like belong to soft matter. Their structures and dynamics can be controlled by tiny external forces. Therefore, soft matter systems are excellently suited for basic research on highly driven systems as well as for many technological applications.
At the department, in particular colloidal suspensions are studied, viz solid particles suspended in a liquid. By combining theoretical and experimental methods, as well as computer simulations, fundamental and cross-scale insights can be gained in the fields of material physics and biophysics.