Perspective
Rethinking nuclear shaping: insights from the nuclear drop model
The resistance of the liquid drop-like nucleus to deformation is dependent on whether the nuclear lamina is smooth or wrinkled. When it is smooth and taut, the nuclear shape can be calculated from geometric constraints on volume and surface area.
Supramolecular chiroptical sensing of chiral species based on circularly polarized luminescence
Chiral analytes can bind to an achiral fluorescent system to generate circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). Subsequently, the CPL signal can be employed to determine the absolute configuration of the chiral substrate.
Understanding polymer–colloid gels: a solvent perspective using low-field NMR
We perform a dual rheological and NMR systematic characterization of CMC/CB hydrogels emphasizing phase transitions through the variation of both the gel formulation and temperature.
Magnetic microwire rheometer reveals differences in hydrogel degradation via disulfide reducing agents
Mucus is composed of a complex network of mucin polymers connected by disulfide bonds.
Composite of knitted fabric and soft matrix. I. Crack growth in the course direction
This study focuses on the microscopic processes of crack growth in a composite of knitted fabric and soft matrix in the course direction under both monotonic and cyclic stretching.
Paper
Divalent cation effects in the glass transition of poly(diallyldimethylammonium)–poly(styrene sulfonate) polyelectrolyte complexes
The assembly and dynamics of polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) and polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) are influenced by water content, pH, and salt concentration.
Paper
Tribocharged granular assembly of polystyrene beads confined between plates using acoustic vibrations
We report the transition from an amorphous to a crystalline state in a 2D system of polystyrene beads between fixed and mobile plates vertical vibration, finding that top plate motion promotes crystallisation, stabilized by triboelectric charging.
Paper
A dynamical system approach to relaxation in glass-forming liquids
We adapt a dynamical system approach to the practical matter of estimating relaxation times in both cooled liquids and crystals at elevated temperatures, which we identify as weakly non-integrable dynamical systems.
Mapping deformation dynamics to composition of topologically-active DNA blends
We leverage in situ enzymatic topological conversion and OpTiDDM to map the deformation dynamics of DNA blends with over 70 fractions of linear, ring and supercoiled molecules that span the phase space of possible topological compositions.
Paper
Curvature induces and enhances transport of spinning colloids through narrow channels
Curvature in a microfluidic channel can be used to induce and enhance the propulsion of magnetically driven microscopic rotors.
Effect of rotational shear on the dielectric dispersion of a nematic liquid crystal above the Freedericksz threshold field
Rheo-dielectric studies of soft materials provide important information on the dynamic structure and electric polarization.
About this collection
June 2025 marks 20 years since the first articles were published in Soft Matter and as part of the celebrations for Soft Matter’s 20th Anniversary, we are delighted to introduce to you our 20th Anniversary Collection. Featuring high quality research and review articles from some of the top authors in the field, we hope you enjoy reading this special collection.
We would like to thank all of our authors, reviewers, and readers for your incredible support since we launched and we look forward to seeing what developments the next 20 years will bring!