Soft-matter miracles

摘要

Soft-matter research investigates ambiguous states of matter, the paradoxical properties of which rely on the art of mixture. An emulsion formed simply of oil and water plus a few molecules of detergent gains the stability of a cream. Similarly, foam produced from air bubbles in soapy water transforms those two fluids into an almost-solid state. In Matiere sensible, liquid-crystal researcher Michel Mitov marvels at the surprising behaviour of these materials.