Soft matter instrumentation
In this research theme, we design and build custom instruments to study the unique properties of soft materials in new ways from the macro-, trough the micro- and down the nano-scale. This allows us to explore scientific questions that standard equipment cannot address.
We complement state-of-art commercial laboratory equipment with the design of our own instruments to study soft materials in greater detail. We create custom setups when existing tools cannot fully answer our research questions. These include specialised versions of laser speckle imaging (for studying tiny movements in non-transparent materials), advanced rheometry techniques to measure flow and deformation, vibrational spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy based imaging techniques. We also expand and enhance existing techniques, for example by adding features such as 3D-printed parts, microfluidic devices, and custom hardware or software.
Topics
Topics include:
- Development of integrated light scattering and mechanical deformation
- Underwater and humidity controlled indentation and fracture
- Nano-Imaging, -Mechanical, and -Chemical Analysis via Atomic Force Microscopy
- Advanced Vibrational Spectroscopy, Chemometrics & AI.
- Chemical kinetics (ThT) of self-assembling and aggregating protein systems.
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Research themes
Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter
Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, led by Jasper van der Gucht, is interested in phenomena at the nanoscale.
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