Physics of Complex Matter
Credit L. Morlet-Decarnin @LPENSL
Understanding, controlling and predicting the mechanical properties of complex matter is a key challenge with wide-ranging implications, from material design to natural hazard mitigation. The "Physics of Complex Matter" team combines experimental and theoretical skills to focus on important questions such as (1) the link between microscopic structures and macroscopic properties ; (2) material design; (3) memory effects; (4) rupture, among many others. We build on our expertise and a multiscale approach to tackle questions ranging from ionic liquids and biosourced colloidal systems to multi-component gels, granular flow instabilities, and large-scale geological processes. We use advanced techniques like Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), confocal microscopy or small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to probe non-equilibrium properties of gels, foams or amorphous materials. Our goal is not only material characterization, but also the design of functional materials with tailored properties. To achieve this, we foster interdisciplinary collaborations across fields like physics, mechanics, chemistry, geophysics, and computational methods. This multiscale, interdisciplinary approach, accounting for multiphysics coupling, tacking the challenges of upscaling and opening towards the elaboration of new materials.