Dr. Laura Filion
Utrecht University
Short description: I study the self-organization of colloidal particles using computer simulations. I focus on simple model systems where the interaction between the colloids is treated using coarse-grained potentials. Broadly, my research can be subdivided into two main categories: “passive” colloidal particles which self-assemble purely due to Brownian motion, and “active” colloidal particles which absorb energy from their environment in order to self-propel. Using a wide range of computational and theoretical techniques, I aim to predict and characterize the equilibrium and steady-state structures formed when these particles self-assemble. Moreover,I investigate the nucleation processes which govern the formation of these structures.