Soft Matter Research

The Solomon research group works on micro-scale characterization of complex interactions in materials such as polymers, colloids and microbial biofilms. The projects in our group aim to understand how such interactions mediate a material’s self-assembly, microstructural and rheological properties. We use coordinated methods of 3D confocal microscopy, rheometry, light scattering and image processing to correlate macroscopic properties of soft matter to their micro-scale features.  

Colloidal Assembly

for structural color

We aim to establish the connection between microscopic assembling behavior and the resulting structure, and the structural color of the colloidal crystals
Colloidal gel microstructure

Colloidal Gelation

and its rheological properties

We study the microscopic network structure and gelation dynamics and the functional properties of colloidal gel

Active Matter

dynamics and effects

 We study the behavior of various shapes of active colloidal particles when embedded in colloidal gel and crystal, and their effects on the functional properties

Mechanics of Biofilm

for bacteria and fungi

We investigate the rheology and microstructure of biofilm to understand its protective role for bacterial and fungal resistance

Latest Publications

  • Reconfigurable Grating Diffraction Structural Color in Self-Assembled Colloidal Crystals
    Small, (2023)

Recent News

September 2024: Tianyu, Syahidah and Clémence presented at Chemical Engineering Graduate Symposium 2024

June 2024: Syahidah presented at ACS Colloid & Surface Science Symposium 2024

June 2024: Clémence presented at International Conference on Bacilli and Gram Positive Bacteria 2024

Solomon group members
Solomon Group (Summer 2024)
(L-R) Prof. Mike Solomon, Tianyu (Terry) Liu, Owen-Matthew Snyder, Chih-Mei Young, Syahidah Mohd Khairi and Clémence Abriat

Contact Us

Prof. Michael J. Solomon
NCRC B10-A151
Ann Arbor, MI
[email protected]     

Graduate Student Offices
NCRC B20-116W
Ann Arbor, MI