Research Overview

Dynamic Soft Matter through Colloid and Interface Self-Assembly

PCFL (Polymers & Complex Fluids Laboratory) at UNIST specializes in creating advanced soft matter by harnessing the principles of colloid science, polymer chemistry, and interface engineering. Our research explores the self-assembly of polymers and colloids into dynamic nanostructures, aiming to unlock their full potential for applications in photonics, sensors, soft robotics, and sustainable materials.

Our core mission is to design and engineer functional colloidal and polymeric materials with tailored properties, emphasizing responsiveness to external stimuli such as light, temperature, or mechanical forces. By leveraging the interplay between physical dynamics and chemical interactions, we aim to bridge fundamental science and real-world applications.

Through innovative methods like Pickering emulsions, block copolymer self-assembly, and advanced additive manufacturing, we produce novel architectures, from freestanding nanoparticle films to photonic colloids with structural color. These materials are applied in diverse fields, including displays, anti-counterfeiting technologies, bioplastics, and next-generation wearable devices. By combining interdisciplinary approaches, we strive to create dynamic, functional materials that push the boundaries of soft matter science.