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 soft matter mechanics in both biological and synthetic systems. 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. We organize the SHaPE: Soft Matter, Hydrodynamics, and (bio)Physics of Emergence seminar series, the Han-sur-Lesse “Winterschool in Summer” school on Soft Matter and Biological Physics, a week-long course on Active Hydrodynamics, and the NWO Physics of Life seminar series.

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

artwork from our recent article selected as back cover of journal

  • Jan ‘26 — Artwork from Christoph’s article on Marangoni-driven self-emulsification was chosen as the back cover for the January 2026 issue of the journal Small Methods!

  • Jan ‘26 — Ayushi gives a talk at the national NWO Physics conference in Veldhoven on “How do motile cells navigate soft and complex confinement"?”.

  • Jan ‘26 — Udo co-organized a focus session on “Dynamic self- and driven-assembly at soft matter interfaces” at the national NWO Physics 2026 conference in Veldhoven.

  • Dec ‘25 — Udo gives a keynote talk at the Dutch Soft Matter Meeting in Utrecht on “Soft walls, restless lives: How motile microorganisms redesign the maze?“

  • 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.