Dr. Suresh Bhat

 Experimental Soft Condensed Matter Physics Group

In the  `Experimental Soft Condensed Matter Physics Group', we use and develop experimental tools to study the structure, dynamics and rheology of Soft Matter, materials which are easily deformable by external fields or even by thermal fluctuations. These materials present interesting features & properties in a range of length and time scales which demands investigation using a variety of experimental techniques such as light, x-ray and neutron scattering as well as complementary techniques like confocal microscopy and rheology. Our interest is to understand the structure property relationships in these interesting materials. We also develop new tools and experimental techniques to explore all properties of the material. Our current interests are in the area of temperature and pH sensitive microgels and their phase behaviour. Our specific interests are in understanding how the crosslinking density as well as the structure of the microgels affect the glassy behaviour of these materials. We use scattering techniques (light/x-ray/neutron), confocal microscopy and rheology in our investigations. We also have expertise in synthesizing microgels of different geometries and morphologies. We use these microgel particles as model systems to investigate the behaviour of more complex matter.

Research

• Structure, dynamics & rheology of concentrated microgel suspensions
  
• Electric field induced structural ordering in charged microgels
  

Contact

• Dr. Suresh Bhat
  Senior Principal Scientist 
  Office: J-104, Polymer and Advanced Materials Laboratory
  National Chemical Laboratory
  Dr. Homi Bhabha Road
  Pune 411008, India
  Phone  +91 20 2590 2154
  Fax +91 20 2590 2615
  E-mail sk.bhat@ncl.res.in