Soft Matter Physics

PHYS40752 Soft Matter Physics 10 Semester 2 Undergraduate Level 4 Thomas Waigh Unit coordinator Department of Physics & Astronomy 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 Soft Matter Physics Soft Matter Physics 1. to provide a broad overview of different states, and properties of soft matter. 2. to introduce the physics of soft materials including liquid crystals, polymers and colloids. 3. to point out the connections between different soft matter materials, in particular liquid crystals, polymers and colloids. On successful completion of PHYS40752, a student will be able to:<o:p></o:p><ol><li>Describe the connections between polymers, colloids and liquid crystals.<o:p></o:p></li><li>Explain key experimental techniques in relation to soft condensed matter.<o:p></o:p></li><li>Explain the general concepts of soft matter physics.<o:p></o:p></li><li>Give examples and explanation of phase transitions in soft matter.<o:p></o:p></li><li>Explain phenomena associated with mesoscopic forces, stochastic dynamics, mechanics, rheology and the surfaces of soft matter.<o:p></o:p></li><li>Describe phenomena in granular matter, jamming, gels, glasses and active matter.<o:p></o:p></li></ol> Section 1 – Introduction <o:p></o:p>1.1 Introduction to Soft Matter   (1 lecture)<o:p></o:p>Section 2 – Physical tools<o:p></o:p>2.1 Mesoscopic forces (2 lectures)<o:p></o:p>2.2 Stochastic Dynamics (2 lectures)<o:p></o:p>2.3 Phase behavior (1 lecture)<o:p></o:p>2.4 Mechanics and rheology (1 lecture)<o:p></o:p>2.5 Surface phenomena (2 lectures)<o:p></o:p>Section 3 - Polymers<o:p></o:p>3.1 Polymers   (3 lectures)<o:p></o:p>3.2 Polyelectrolytes (1 lecture)<o:p></o:p>Section 4 - Colloids<o:p></o:p>4.1 Colloids   (3 lectures)<o:p></o:p>Section 5 – Liquid crystals<o:p></o:p>5.1 Liquid crystals (3 lectures)<o:p></o:p>Section 6 - Extensions<o:p></o:p>6.1 Gels, jamming and glasses   (1 lecture) <o:p></o:p>6.2 Granular matter (1 lecture) 6.3 Active matter<o:p></o:p> Assessment — Coursework/exam/revision preparation, Demonstration, Design Project, External Visit, Fieldwork, Independent Study, Lecture, Practical, Project Supervision, Seminar, Studio/Technical Activity, Tutorial, Work-Based Learning, Workshop<o:p></o:p> 0 Other 10% 1 Written exam 90% Written Exam: 90%5 Compulsory Tutorials: 10% (2% each) There will be questions given out with the lecture summaries every week. Solutions will be discussed in three Q&A sessions which will provide feedback to students on their present understanding of course material covered. PHYS20352 Statistical Mechanics Pre-Requisite Compulsory N <ul><li>Molecular driving forces : statistical thermodynamics in biology, chemistry, physics, and nanoscience, Dill, Ken A., Garland Science, 2011, ISBN: 9780815344308<o:p></o:p></li><li>Intermolecular and surface forces, Israelachvili, Jacob N., Elsevier/Academic Press, 2011, ISBN: 9780123751829<o:p></o:p></li><li>Polymer physics, Rubinstein, Michael. Oxford University Press, 2003, ISBN: 9780198520597<o:p></o:p></li><li>Physics of charged macromolecules : synthetic and biological systems, Muthukumar, Murugappan, Cambridge University Press, 2023, ISBN: 9781139046749<o:p></o:p></li><li>An introduction to interfaces & colloids : the bridge to nanoscience, Berg, John C., World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd, 2010,    ISBN: 9814299820<o:p></o:p></li><li>Introduction to liquid crystals : chemistry and physics, Collings, Peter J., CRC Press, 2019, ISBN: 9781138298767<o:p></o:p></li><li>Granular media : between fluid and solid, Andreotti, B., Cambridge University Press,  2013, ISBN: 9781107034792<o:p></o:p></li><li>Active matter within and around us : from self-propelled particles to flocks and living forms, Pismen, Len M., Springer, 2021, ISBN: 9783030684211<o:p></o:p></li></ul> Assessment written exam 1.5 Lectures 24 0 74.5