In this course, we explore how to build theories for complex fluids; we will often be taking examples from the world of biology. The focus of the course will be to emphasise generic features in order to build up a repertoire of theoretical tools that are widely applicable to analyse a diversity of soft materials.
Topics covered may vary from year to year depending on the specialisms of the staff involved but will include:
- Physics and non-equilibrium thermodynamics of binary mixtures
- Symmetries and phases of liquid crystals
- Topological defects in liquid crystals
- Hydrodynamic theories of complex fluids
- Topological properties of DNA: knots and supercoiling
Lecturer: Davide Marenduzzo
Institution: Edinburgh
Hours Equivalent Credit: 20
