Grupo de Sistemas Complejos

The Complex Systems Group: Colloids, Polymers and Interfaces is a leading group in the study of colloidal systems and interfaces. The group has thre full professors, Ramón G. Rubio, Francisco Ortega and Eduardo Guzmán and a Ramón y Cajal researcher: Fernando Martínez. They are currently involved in three projects funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, one funded by the ESF and one funded by L"Oréal. The group currently has two predoctoral students and several undergraduate students. The group collaborates with different external groups and researchers, including Prof. Jean Francoise Berret (University Paris-Diderot, France), Dr. Carles Calero and Prof. Ignacio Pagonabarraga (University of Barcelona) and Dr. Gustavo Luengo (L"Oréal Prospective Research, France).

In the last 5 years, the group has initiated a new line of research: the dynamics of out-of-equilibrium processes at low Reynolds number in confined environments. These processes allow the application of new 2D transport and self-assembly techniques. The work done has been very fruitful, as evidenced by the publication of these studies in high impact journals in the field (1X Advanced Functional Materials (i.f: 16,836), 1X Small (11,459), 1X Advances in Colloids and Interfaces (9,922), 1X ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces (8,758), 2X Journal of Colloids and Interfaces (7,489)).

Superparamagnetic microparticles are used in the construction of micromachines capable of transporting molecules at low Reynolds number, and the fabrication of smart materials, capable of changing their properties in a controlled manner. When adsorbed on fluid interfaces, these particles are also ideal for the generation of colloidal currents and to study static and dynamic self-assembly processes.

Within the general objectives set out in the project report, we will focus on the solution of three different, although closely correlated, lines, based on the exploration of the above-described system:

(a)