The Physics of Soft Matter (PhySM) lab is part of the Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter group at Wageningen University and Research.

We are a curiosity-driven bunch who like to study the hydrodynamical aspects of soft matter and biophysics. We are particularly interested in key fundamental questions in both natural phenomena and industrial applications. To tackle them, we transform them into lab-scale bench-top experiments, and theoretical and/or numerical modeling exercises, and identify routes towards solutions.

We are affiliated with the JM Burgerscentrum national research school for fluid mechanics, the SoftComp EU network of excellence, and the GreenTE consortium on exploring the role of mechanical forces in plant cell development.

Our pursuit of science happens to come from a position of privilege, and we are aware that not everyone is exposed to the same kind of opportunities. We strive for equity, diversity, and inclusion as a team. Openly accessible education is one of our core principles. We exclusively use open-access software for teaching and research, and all our research data is also openly accessible. Most of our research is publicly-funded, which means that we also feel obliged to let the public know what we are doing with their support, which we try to achieve with our outreach activities.

News

inspired by our recent article on the spontaneous self-emulsification of multicomponent droplets

inspired by our recent article on the breakup of liquid films during violent respiratory events

  • Oct ‘25 — Ayushi gives a talk at the national NWO Biophysics conference in Veldhoven on “How do motile cells navigate soft and complex confinement?”.

  • Oct ‘25 — Ayushi and Udo give talks at the International Soft Matter Conference in Chania; Ayushi on “How do motile cells navigate soft and complex confinement?” and Udo on “Anomalous dynamics in confined evaporation of salty solutions”.

  • Sep ‘25 — Udo gives a talk on “Anomalous dynamics in confined evaporation of salty solutions” at the European Coatings Symposium in A Coruña.

  • Aug ‘25 — Udo gives a talk on “Anomalous dynamics in confined evaporation of salty solutions” at the European Fluid Dynamics Conference in Dublin.

  • Jul ‘25 — We are awarded a NWO-ENW-M1 grant to study emergent non-equilibrium dynamics of colloidal populations at fluid-fluid interfaces.

  • Jul ‘25 — We are awarded a NWO-ENW-XS grant to study climate change-induced stresses on marine microbial populations.

  • Jul ‘25 — We are awarded a NWO KIC-S grant to study spatiotemporal complexities in multicomponent fluids.