| Project Detail |
Innovative training network in soft matter physics
Soft matter refers to materials (polymers, gels, foams, etc.) that are easily deformed by thermal fluctuations and external forces. Quantum matter refers to materials with strong electronic correlations or collective properties that are governed by quantum mechanics (ultra-cold atoms, topological insulators, superconductors, etc.). Striking analogies in mesophase organisation are found in both worlds in spite of the very different nature and length scales of their constituents (from subatomic to macromolecular). The key ingredient leading to such analogies is the ultra-soft character of the relevant interactions. The QLUSTER project, funded under the MSCA programme, aims to establish a common framework of concepts and methods to understand such phenomena, creating permanent ties between communities that have so far evolved separately.
QLUSTER is constituted as a collaborative network for advancing research in fundamentals and applications, training ESRs with broad skillsets and high adaptability to the increasingly knowledge-based economy of the EU, and with a strong commitment to communicating science to society. Despite similarities in phenomena, language and methods employed to study clustering and mesophase organization across widely different length scales — from subatomic to macromolecular — a coherent effort to bring distinct communities in classical and quantum soft matter together has not been yet undertaken. Our objective is to advance the fundamentals in such fields far beyond the state of the art, cross-fertilizing and creating permanent ties between communities that have evolved separately so far, and fostering the transfer of knowledge essential for a broad range of applications. The ambitious research and training programme will address the properties of classical and quantum soft matter systems under a common framework based on the underlying ultrasoft interactions of the constituents. Ultrasoftness is the key factor leading to the observed complexity in the dynamics, structure, and response to external drives of these different entities (complex polymers, soft colloids, Rydberg atoms in optical lattices, vortex matter in superconductors, etc). QLUSTER comprises a unique theory/experiment balanced team of specialists in quantum optics, polymer physics and macromolecular chemistry among others, providing a valuable platform for communication between the different communities of research in ultrasoft matter. The impact in the academic and private sector of the EU will be broad. There are no previous examples of similar initiatives in the world and QLUSTER will put the EU in a privileged position, through fostering transfer of fundamentals and methods, to innovate in large-scale sectors as e.g. tyre manufacturing, and to find innovative applications of quantum science. |
