About the meeting Complex Fluids comprise a large class of soft materials which often consist of supramolecular aggregates. Their physical properties are determined by the interplay of entropic and structural intermolecular forces and interfacial interactions. Examples are microemulsions, foams and suspensions of colloids or microgels, liquid crystals, but also biological membranes, the intracellular macromolecular scaffolds of cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. The highly interdisciplinary field of Complex Fluids thus bridges the gap between synthetic and living materials. Aside from the scientific challenges Complex Fluids have a broad range of industrial applications.
Examples are soaps, polymeric lubricants and emulsifiers, but also drug delivery systems.
The main thrust of the 4th Gordon Conference will be soft interfaces and their role for the self organization and function of Complex Fluids. Shape changes and motions of soft elastic shells. Major emphasis will be given to Poster Sessions.