Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/L81185/01
Title:	SOFT CONDENSED MATTER
Principal Investigator:	Olmsted, Professor PD
Other Investigators:	McLeish, Professor T Yeomans, Professor J van Duijneveldt, Dr JS Cates, Professor M Higgins, Dame JS Melrose, Dr J
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	ICI Schlumberger Unilever
Department:	Physics and Astronomy
Organisation:	University of Leeds
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	15 January 1998	Ends:	14 January 2001	Value (£):	51,869
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Complex fluids & soft solids
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Food and Drink
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
Soft Condensed Matter is a strongly interdisciplinary area which lies at the interface between Physics, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. Accordingly the area has not always been well-served by either funding agencies or Universities. This is one reason why the UK effort in SCM, although represented by several very strong groups, does not have the same profile as that in (say) France, where the national funding structure is more strongly based on interdisciplinary laboratories. A Physics Network would allow the subject to develop a stronger national identity in the UK and draw attention to its importance among the wider scientific community.The industrial impact of SCM physics is very significant. The understanding of SCM underpins products ranging from personal care and foodstuffs (Unilever) to paints, coatings, and bulk polymers (ICI) and drilling muds (Schlumberger). However, at present the science used to design these products is largely empirical rather than based soundly on established physical principles. The proposed network id intended to strengthen and extend existing collaborations among industrial and academic groups in the UK, and exploit the synergy between colloid and polymeric soft matter. The network will maintain an 'open door' policy to all interested UK researchers.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Impacts
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Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.leeds.ac.uk