Our mission, research focus and main scientific directions

 

We aim to understand the underlying mechanisms underpinning the behavior of soft materials by linking fundamentals (molecular interactions and conformations) to microscopic structure and dynamics (in two and three dimensions) and final material properties (mechanical, optical, interfacial). Our long-term goal is the molecular design of soft materials with tailored performance.

The rigorous study of the properties of soft materials involves devising protocols, using state-of-the art experimentation and developing specialized setups, as well as synergy of synthesis, specialized characterization, theory, simulations, and physical experiment (including access to specialized infrastructure). Examples of in-house instrumentation include evanescent wave dynamic light scattering, in-situ combination of rheometry with light scattering or microscopy, high-frequency rheometry and nonlinear rheometric tools.

The group’s strength lies on the experimental study of dynamics and rheology of well-characterized materials and determination of the physical origin of their response. Our ambition is to maintain and further enhance the Institute’s position as international pillar in soft matter research.

In this direction, we address outstanding problems in polymer and colloid physics, challenge theories, and open new directions. Current thematic directions (with main goals in parenthesis) are listed below:

  • Associating polymers and networks (tailor mechanical reinforcement toward strong and deformable networks)
  • Repulsive and attractive colloids (role of attractions in the flow of colloidal glasses)
  • Colloidal gels (new routes to novel states, optimize processing conditions to tune properties)
  • Anisotropic colloidal particles (rich state behavior and flow phenomena)
  • Polymer topology  (viscoelasticity, resistance to stretching due to interlocking, supersoft elastomers)
  • Biomacromolecules and hydrogels (biological problems, protein solutions, mixed hydrogels)
  • High pressure effects (phase behavior, dynamics, supramolecular polymers, industrial applications)
  • Soft composites (tailor rheology and mechanics, bridge polymeric and colloidal behavior)
Advancing Research & Innovation of FORTH in Green Soft Matter
Controlling Colloidal Gels for Novel Sustainable Materials
Self-Organization and Flow of Low-Functionality Telechelic Star Polymers with Varying Attraction
E. Moghimi, I. Chubak, A. Statt, M. P. Howard, D. Founta, G. Polymeropoulos, K. Ntetsikas, N. Hadjichristidis, A. Z. Panagiotopoulos, C. N. Likos, D. Vlassopoulos
ACS Macro Lett., Volume:8, Issue:7, Page:766, Year:2019, DOI:doi.org/10.1021/acsmacrolett.9b00211
Constraint Release Mechanisms for H-Polymers Moving in Linear Matrices of Varying Molar Masses
H. Lentzakis, S. Costanzo, D. Vlassopoulos, R. H. Colby, D. J. Read, E. van Ruymbeke
Macromolecules, Volume:52, Page:3010, Year:2019, DOI:doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.9b00251
Hybrid Dendronized Polymers as Molecular Objects: Viscoelastic Properties in the Melt
S. Costanzo, L. Scherz, G. Floudas, R. Pasquino, M. Kröger, A. D. Schlüter, D. Vlassopoulos
Macromolecules, Volume:52, Page:7331, Year:2019, DOI:doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.9b01412
A high-frequency piezoelectric rheometer with validation of the loss angle measuring loop: application to polymer melts and colloidal glasses
T. Athanasiou, G.K. Auernhammer, D. Vlassopoulos, and G. Petekidis
Rheol Acta, Volume:58, Page:619, Year:2019, DOI:doi.org/10.1007/s00397-019-01163-x
Molecularly Designed Interfacial Viscoelasticity by Dendronized Polymers: From Flexible Macromolecules to Colloidal Objects
L. F. Scherz, B. Schroyen, M. Pepicelli, D. A. Schlüter, Jan Vermant, D. Vlassopoulos
ACS Nano, Volume:13, Issue:12, Page:14217, Year:2019, DOI:doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.9b07142
Short and Soft: Multidomain Organization, Tunable Dynamics, and Jamming in Suspensions of Grafted Colloidal Cylinders with a Small Aspect Ratio
D. Parisi, Y. Ruan, G. Ochbaum, K. S. Silmore, L. L. Cullari, C.-Y. Liu, R. Bitton, O. Regev, J. W. Swan, B. Loppinet, D. Vlassopoulos
Langmuir, Volume:35, Issue:52, Page:17103, Year:2019, DOI:doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b03025
Bulk rheometry at high frequencies: a review of experimental approaches
B. Schroyen, D. Vlassopoulos, P. Van Puyvelde, Jan Vermant
Rheol Acta, Volume:59, Page:1, Year:2020, DOI:doi.org/10.1007/s00397-019-01172-w
Stress Relaxation in Symmetric Ring-Linear Polymer Blends at Low Ring Fractions
D. Parisi, J. Ahn, T. Chang, D. Vlassopoulos, M. Rubinstein
Macromolecules, Volume:53, Issue:5, Page:1685, Year:2020, DOI:doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.9b02536

Heads

Prof. Filippidi Emmanouela
University Faculty Member
Prof. Glynos Emmanouil
University Faculty Member
Dr. Loppinet Benoit
Principal Researcher
Prof. Petekidis George
University Faculty Member
Prof. Vlassopoulos Dimitris
University Faculty Member

Technical Staff

Ms. Larsen Antje
Technician
Mr. Mavromanolakis Antonis
Technical Scientist

Research Associates

Dr. Athanasiou Thanasis
PostDoctoral Fellow
Dr. Li Benke
PostDoctoral Fellow
Dr. Mandal Sudipta
PostDoctoral Fellow

Students

Mr. Burger Nikos Athanasios
Ph.D. student
Ms. Galluzzi Francesca
Ph.D. student
Ms. Guarino Teresiana
Ph.D. student
Ms. Medda Elisa
Ph.D. student
Ms. Mekkat Narayanan Malavika
Ph.D. student
Mr. Papamichail Chrisostomos
Ph.D. student
Ms. Peponaki Katerina
Ph.D. student
Ms. Russo Arcangela
Ph.D. student
Ms. Chrysoulaki Vasiliki
M.Sc. student
Ms. Dramountani Irini
M.Sc. student
Ms. Lusha Margarita
M.Sc. student
Mr. Machas Thanasis
M.Sc. student
Mr. Sampson Ioannis
M.Sc. student
Ms. Tzeiranidi Anastasia
M.Sc. student

Alumni

Dr. Alexandris Stelios
Alumni
Prof. Andrade Ricardo
Alumni
Dr. Anyfantakis Manos
Alumni
Prof. Baeza Guilhem
Alumni
Dr. Ballesta Pierre
Alumni
Dr. Carillo Consiglia
Ph.D. student
Dr. Dessi Claudia
Alumni
Prof. Dutertre Fabien
Alumni
Prof. Jacob Alan
Alumni
Dr. Kapnistos Michalis
Alumni
Dr. Kiany Parvin
Alumni
Dr. Klein Christopher
Alumni
Dr. Koumakis Nikos
Alumni
Dr. Lentzakis Helen
Alumni
Dr. Louhichi Ameur
Alumni
Dr. Madani Mahnoush
Alumni
Prof. McKenzie Ruel
Alumni
Dr. Michailidou Vassiliki
Alumni
Dr. Moghimi Esmaeel
Alumni
Dr. Mohandas Mohandas
Alumni
Dr. Pamvouxoglou Andreas
Alumni
Dr. Papagiannopoulos Aris
Alumni
Prof. Pasquino Rossana
Alumni
Dr. Poulos Andreas
Alumni
Dr. Pyromali Christina
Ph.D. student
Prof. Renou Frederic
Alumni
Prof. Rogers Simon
Alumni
Prof. van Ruymbeke Evelyne
Alumni
Dr. Snijkers Frank
Alumni
Dr. Stiakakis Manolis
Alumni
Dr. Truzzolillo Domenico
Alumni
Dr. de Viguerie Laurence
Alumni
Dr. Voudouris Panagiotis
Alumni