About this Research Topic
Soft matter-based products are ubiquitous throughout various industrial sectors, including cosmetics, consumer goods, paints, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and building materials. Currently, the majority of these industrial sectors have sustainability goals encompassing aspects of net zero emissions, replacement of fossil fuel-derived carbon with renewable or recycled carbon, sustainable sourcing, biodegradability etc. From a product design perspective, this requires redesigning products with new, sustainable ingredients such as biopolymers and biosurfactants, while maintaining product performance. In essence, it involves understanding the relationship between structure, properties, processing, and performance in sustainable surfactants, polymers, colloids, and emulsifiers, as well as the interactions of these ingredients in complex mixtures commonly found in these products.
Establishing these relationships by gaining deeper Physicochemical insights entails the application of novel experimental and modelling tools and techniques such as AI/Machine Learning approaches.
The primary objective is to expand the understanding and use of soft matter systems in a new industrial era that is focused on sustainability and biodegradability This includes gaining a comprehensive understanding of recent scientific developments in the relationship between structure, microstructure, processing, and performance in sustainable soft materials. Similarly, understanding self-assembly, rheology, surface activity, and tribology in these new materials. Additionally, emphasizing advancements in experimental and modelling tools and techniques, including AI/Machine Learning, will significantly contribute to the successful implementation of these sustainable soft materials across various industries."
This research topic aims to compile the current advancements in understanding the self-assembly, microstructure, rheology, surface activity, tribology, and other key physicochemical properties that control performance in biopolymers, biosurfactants, bio-based surfactants, sustainable colloids, gels, hydrogels, and other sustainable soft materials. A deeper understanding of these materials will enable the development of new, sustainable products with improved functional and sensory characteristics.
Perspectives, reviews, mini-reviews, and original research articles will be welcomed. Areas to be covered in this collection may include, but are not limited to:
- Biopolymers
- Biosurfactants
- Sustainable Gels, Hydrogels
- Sustainable emulsifiers and emulsions
- AI and Machine Learning applications for Soft Matter Engineering
- Advances in High Throughout Formulation Platforms
- Sustainable soft matter from liquid crystals
Establishing these relationships by gaining deeper Physicochemical insights entails the application of novel experimental and modelling tools and techniques such as AI/Machine Learning approaches.
The primary objective is to expand the understanding and use of soft matter systems in a new industrial era that is focused on sustainability and biodegradability This includes gaining a comprehensive understanding of recent scientific developments in the relationship between structure, microstructure, processing, and performance in sustainable soft materials. Similarly, understanding self-assembly, rheology, surface activity, and tribology in these new materials. Additionally, emphasizing advancements in experimental and modelling tools and techniques, including AI/Machine Learning, will significantly contribute to the successful implementation of these sustainable soft materials across various industries."
This research topic aims to compile the current advancements in understanding the self-assembly, microstructure, rheology, surface activity, tribology, and other key physicochemical properties that control performance in biopolymers, biosurfactants, bio-based surfactants, sustainable colloids, gels, hydrogels, and other sustainable soft materials. A deeper understanding of these materials will enable the development of new, sustainable products with improved functional and sensory characteristics.
Perspectives, reviews, mini-reviews, and original research articles will be welcomed. Areas to be covered in this collection may include, but are not limited to:
- Biopolymers
- Biosurfactants
- Sustainable Gels, Hydrogels
- Sustainable emulsifiers and emulsions
- AI and Machine Learning applications for Soft Matter Engineering
- Advances in High Throughout Formulation Platforms
- Sustainable soft matter from liquid crystals
Keywords: Biopolymers, Biosurfactants, Hydrogels, Self-Assembly, Consumer Products, Cosmetics Coatings, Agricultural Products, Building Materials Pharmaceuticals.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
