Soft Matter: from Theory to Applications
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Soft matter includes states of matter that do not fit into the solid-liquid-gas classification but are ubiquitous in daily life (surfactant aggregates, liquid crystals, colloids, microemulsions, foams, gels) and biological structures (membranes, liposomes, proteins, nucleic acids). The course introduces the fundamental laws governing their properties and provides tools to model their self-organization. Additionally, the main characterization techniques will be presented, with an approach that integrates theory, experiments, and computational models. Special attention will be given to applications in fields such as the food industry, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will have acquired a solid theoretical understanding of soft matter and the models that describe its behavior, developing a unified framework that enables the investigation of a wide range of materials using common methods and models. They will be able to apply the acquired concepts to interpret and predict material properties, including through computational modeling. Additionally, they will develop both theoretical and experimental skills in the main characterization techniques for soft materials, learning to collect and analyze data to correlate structure and functionality. This integrated approach—combining theory, experiments, and simulations—will provide students with the fundamental tools to understand soft materials and their applications in advanced scientific research and industry.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Introduction and Fundamental Concepts: Definition of soft matter and classification; Forces, energies, and timescales in condensed systems; Phase transitions in soft matter
Colloids: Types of colloids; Interactions between particles in colloidal dispersions and colloidal stabilization; Gelation and basic rheology in colloidal systems; Applications in gels, foams, emulsions, and food colloids
Amphiphilic Molecules and Self-Assembly Phenomena: Surfactants: structure, properties, and behavior in solution; Monolayers and Langmuir-Blodgett films, adsorption at solid interfaces; Micellization: thermodynamic aspects and packing parameters; Industrial (wettability, adhesion, detergency) and biomedical applications
Liquid Crystals: Classification and characteristics of liquid crystal phases; Applications in displays, smart materials, and biosciences
Soft Matter in Biological Systems: Phospholipid membranes, DNA, proteins; Modeling of phospholipid membranes and oligopeptides in vesicles; Antifreeze proteins: classification, structure, and biomedical applications
Characterization Methods: Scattering techniques, tensiometry, wettability and electrokinetic measurements
Modeling for Soft Matter:
- Molecular Mechanics. "All atoms" Force Fields and "Coarse-Grain" Force Fields. The MARTINI Force Field for the Description of Membranes, Proteins, and Small Molecules
- Molecular Dynamics (MD): Phase Space of a System and the Sampling Problem, Integration of the Equations of Motion. Simulation of Finite Systems. Periodic Boundary Conditions. Constant Temperature Simulation. Analysis of Simulations
- Monte Carlo (MC): "Hit and Miss" Approach, Importance Sampling, and Metropolis Algorithm, Comparison between MC and MD Simulations
Colloids: Types of colloids; Interactions between particles in colloidal dispersions and colloidal stabilization; Gelation and basic rheology in colloidal systems; Applications in gels, foams, emulsions, and food colloids
Amphiphilic Molecules and Self-Assembly Phenomena: Surfactants: structure, properties, and behavior in solution; Monolayers and Langmuir-Blodgett films, adsorption at solid interfaces; Micellization: thermodynamic aspects and packing parameters; Industrial (wettability, adhesion, detergency) and biomedical applications
Liquid Crystals: Classification and characteristics of liquid crystal phases; Applications in displays, smart materials, and biosciences
Soft Matter in Biological Systems: Phospholipid membranes, DNA, proteins; Modeling of phospholipid membranes and oligopeptides in vesicles; Antifreeze proteins: classification, structure, and biomedical applications
Characterization Methods: Scattering techniques, tensiometry, wettability and electrokinetic measurements
Modeling for Soft Matter:
- Molecular Mechanics. "All atoms" Force Fields and "Coarse-Grain" Force Fields. The MARTINI Force Field for the Description of Membranes, Proteins, and Small Molecules
- Molecular Dynamics (MD): Phase Space of a System and the Sampling Problem, Integration of the Equations of Motion. Simulation of Finite Systems. Periodic Boundary Conditions. Constant Temperature Simulation. Analysis of Simulations
- Monte Carlo (MC): "Hit and Miss" Approach, Importance Sampling, and Metropolis Algorithm, Comparison between MC and MD Simulations
Prerequisites for admission
Elements of thermodynamics (potential energy, enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy, chemical potential, ideal gas laws), kinetics (kinetic equation, activation energy) and electrochemistry (electric potential, dielectric constant), which are generally presented in introductory courses of chemistry and physical chemistry.
Teaching methods
Lezioni frontali (48 h), laboratorio sperimentale in piccolo gruppo (24 h) ed esercitazioni di utilizzo di programmi computazionali (24 h).
Teaching Resources
- I.W. Hamley, Introduction to Soft Matter, Wiley, 2007
- R. Jones, Soft Condensed Matter, Oxford University Press, 2002
- A. Leach Molecular Modeling, Principles and Applications, Pearson Education Limited, 2001
- Lecture notes given by the professors (Ariel website)
- R. Jones, Soft Condensed Matter, Oxford University Press, 2002
- A. Leach Molecular Modeling, Principles and Applications, Pearson Education Limited, 2001
- Lecture notes given by the professors (Ariel website)
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral: the examination begins with a topic chosen by the student. The exam will verify that the student has understood the fundamental laws governing the behavior of soft matter. The student is also required to prepare a brief report on the laboratory and simulation activities.
CHIM/02 - PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 9
Laboratories: 48 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Meroni Daniela, Pieraccini Stefano
Professor(s)
Reception:
On appointment
Teacher's Office (Dipartimento di Chimica - Ground Floor -B Section) or on MS Teams