RSA CE&C 2015-2021 Group descriptions

74 Prospects Development of the research field The newly established Self-Organizing Soft Matter group is already held in high regard, delivering important novel contributions to the fields of experimental soft matter, self-assembly and polymer science. Unique to the group is strong topical know-how and technical expertise in both advanced scattering and nanoscopy, through which the group has established a prominent role in the mesoscale characterization of polymer solutions, hydrogels and supramolecular soft materials with a particular interest in structure-function-dynamics. 24 At present, the group is investigating and has described the following novel topics in research proposals: 1. Interface engineering and single-molecule characterization (e.g., iPAINT) for reproducible surface chemistry in the direction of superselectivity, improved stability, encapsulation, biobased Pickering emulsions, controlled particle size (distributions) and sensing. 2. Adaptive polymer-based coatings for sensing, photonics, antifouling and anti-icing. 3. Enzyme nanotechnology, including liquefaction, functional protein materials and the preservation of structure and functioning under extreme conditions (ionic liquids, high temperatures). 4. Structure-dynamics-function relationships at the ensemble and single-molecule level (e.g., through 5D nanoscopy) in complex food matrices and for antifreeze proteins on ice. 5. The design and implementation of ice-binding protein polymers and super-resolution tools to elucidate how biosynthetic ice-binders function, to tailor ice recrystallization and nucleation independently and to use these insights in regenerative medicine, construction and materials science. 6. The spatiotemporal regulation of the (light-modulated) self-organization of polyelectrolytes and colloids via responsive surface-tethered handles. 7. Self-assembly in complex macromolecular systems (synthetic heteropolymers, biosynthetic protein polymers) for nanomedicine, animal-free milk (protein transition) and photonics.