Publications
When Motion Prevents Order
Pack enough string-like objects together, and they will begin to align with one another. But replace the strings with worms or bacteria living in your
June 10, 2026
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We reveal the mechanism behind spherical assemblies of nanocrystals
We reveal that for mixtures of different ions, something extraordinary occurs. Instead of forming a single flawless crystal, the matter can organize itself into so-called
March 9, 2026
Positions
Assistant/Associate Professor in Experimental Physics – MacGillavry Fellowship
Do you enjoy working in a vibrant research setting and do you want to be active in a variety of educational programmes? The Van der Waals-Zeeman
March 6, 2026
PhD position: Forces in Entangled Active Polymer-Like Matter
Are you a highly motivated physics graduate with a strong interest in soft matter, active matter, and statistical mechanics? We are looking for an ambitious PhD
February 11, 2026
News
Worms as Particle Sweepers: Editor’s Choice
When observing small worms under a microscope, one might observe something very surprising: the worms appear to make a sweeping motion to clean their own
February 2, 2026
News
Cold Soft Matter Science in the Dutch Magazine for Physics
Ever wondered why a forgotten champagne bottle bursts after a night in the freezer? While the expansion of water during freezing certainly plays a major
January 30, 2026
News
A 3D-printed Christmas tree made entirely of ice
A team of physicists from the University of Amsterdam’s Institute of Physics has 3D-printed a Christmas tree made entirely of ice. Researchers Menno Demmenie, Stefan
January 28, 2026
News
Physics meets fashion: a bioluminescent dress
A very special look was presented earlier this week by fashion designer Iris van Herpen at the Paris Haute Couture Week. The garment: a bioluminescent
July 8, 2025
News
Tomato plants’ sticky self-defence ‘minefields’
Many plants use tiny ‘hairs’ called trichomes as a first line of defence against plant-eating insects. New research by experimental physicists and plant physiologists at
June 26, 2025
News
What friction and red traffic lights have in common
Picture yourself at a busy pedestrian crossing. When the light is red, everyone waits – until one person starts to cross. Soon, others follow, and
April 29, 2025
Publications
Polymerlike worms wriggle their way through mazes
In a crowded room, we naturally move slower than in an empty space. Surprisingly, worms can show the exact opposite behaviour: in an environment with
March 28, 2025
Prizes
Emergent Soft Matter Excellence Award for Nico Schramma
Nico Schramma was awarded the Emerging Soft Matter Excellence (ESME) award during the APS Global Physics Summit in Anaheim, California.After giving a talk on his
March 21, 2025
Prizes
APS Gallery of Soft Matter award for Isabelle Eisenmann
Isabelle Eisenmann was among the winners of this year’s Division of Soft Matter (DSOFT) Gallery of Soft Matter photo and video competition, for a video
March 21, 2025
Prizes
Xiaofei Guo wins the Ehrenfest-Afanassjewa thesis award 2024
Physicist Xiaofei Guo is the winner of the Ehrenfest-Afanassjewa physics thesis award 2024. She carried out her PhD at UvA-IoP in the research in the
December 10, 2024
Grants
ERC Consolidator grant for Corentin Coulais
The European Research Council has awarded a three million euro Consolidator grant for the project “Animating Metamaterials using Non-Reciprocity” (ANIMETA) of UvA physicist Corentin Coulais.
December 3, 2024
Publications
Failure by design: creating the ideal shock absorber
Cars and other motorised vehicles are built in such a way that when they crash, their front-end crumples and any passengers inside don’t feel the
November 22, 2024