Crystallization and glass formation of soft compressible colloids

This talk will discuss when, how and why compressibility affects suspension behavior. We will use microgels as model soft and compressible particles at high particle number densities, and address both crystallization and glass formation. We will discuss the role of ions and their associated osmotic pressure, as well as the role of single-particle stiffness and deformability. Static light and small angle neutron scattering will be used to access structural aspects, while dynamical light scattering and rheology will enable quantifying suspension dynamics. Our results indicate that compressibility can fundamentally change the role of particle density and polydispersity in suspension behavior.