Soft matter science

Soft matter science studies materials that can easily change shape or flow, such as liquids, gels, plastics, foams, and biological materials. These substances are made of small building blocks like polymers, colloids, or surfactants, which give them unique properties—they can deform, stretch, or reorganize under gentle forces. Understanding their behavior is essential for developing products like medicines, food, cosmetics, and new materials. Soft matter occupies a middle ground between solid and liquid, exhibiting complex responses that are crucial in both nature and industry.