Soft Matter and Formulation for Industrial Innovation

The theme of this project is the interaction between structure and dynamics in soft matter systems. All soft matter systems exhibit structure (e.g. the arrangement of monomers and side branches in a copolymer, or the packing of particles in a colloid) and these structures affect the flow and dynamics of the material (e.g. the emergence of phase separated patterns, or the way a food item feels in the mouth). This project will focus on investigation of soft matter structure and dynamics. Within the CDT for Soft Matter and Formulation for Industrial Innovation, a choice of PhD topics will be offered within this broad theme, in the University of Leeds, such as:
- Many-blob modelling: Developing the theoretical underpinning of protein unfolding in biocompatible and biodegradable hydrogels
- Sustainable packaging from agricultural waste (sponsored by Futamura)
- Developing oxygen-impermeable microfibre networks for encapsulation of sensitive probiotics