Physics of Soft and Partially Ordered Matter

Theory and Simulation Group

Our research explores selected topics in the general field of soft matter, especially,  focusing on complex soft materials, topology and geometry, active matter and bio-systems, soft- and bio-photonics, and their applications. Specifically, our main research topics include topological defects in soft matter, colloids and complex fluids, soft matter optics and photonics, active matter, dynamics of complex fluids, liquid crystal emulsions, protein aggregation in biopharmaceuticals, liquid crystal elastomers, interactions on spherical lattices and caloric effects in soft matter. The methodological approaches include macroscopic phenomenology, topology, and microscopic molecular modeling.

Latest News

Recent challenges in the mathematical design of new materials

August 2025 - Miha Ravnik co-organises a one-week workshop on Recent challenges in the mathematical design of new materials at Isaac Newton Institute in Cambridge between 18 and 22 August 2025.


Inside Front Cover of Soft Matter

September 2024 - The paper Many-defect solutions in planar nematics: interactions, spiral textures and boundary conditions by Simon Čopar and Žiga Kos was featured on the inside front cover of Soft Matter. 


Miha Ravnik received
ILCS Mid-Career Award

24 July 2024 - Miha Ravnik received the Mid-Career Award issued by the International Liquid Crystal Society at the 29th International Liquid Crystal Conference in Rio de Janeiro.