Colloquium Series: Erik Luijten (Northwestern University)

Join us for another event in the 2018-2019 Colloquium Series as APS welcomes Erik Luijten, Ph.D. to present on his recent research. Dr. Luijten is currently a Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics, and (by courtesy) Physics and Astronomy at Northwestern University. His group is “focused on understanding and predicting the properties and behavior of a broad range of systems and materials, with an emphasis on collective phenomena (phase behavior, self-assembly, pattern formation, kinetics and dynamics) occurring in complex fluids and soft condensed matter (ionic and polyelectrolyte solutions, colloidal suspensions, polymeric materials).”

Dynamic Collective Behavior of Active Colloids

Colloidal suspensions are a prototypical example of systems that can be either passive of active. Here, I will demonstrate how various forms of dynamics and different types of interactions result in unexpected and until now largely unexplored aggregation and phase behavior. These observations, obtained through a combination of experiments and computer simulations, reveal striking connections between colloidal self-assembly and collective dynamics, and between dynamic behavior and classical thermodynamics. Moreover, a remarkable variety of collective dynamics can be realized through simple variation of the applied electric fields. These observations provoke new thoughts on the nature of “soft” materials and our ability to manipulate them.