Physics of Complex Systems and Statistical Mechanics
Research group
The Physics of Complex Systems and Statistical Mechanics group carries out research
focussed on the application of statistical mechanics to a wide range of phenomena including classical and quantum systems out of equilibrium, soft matter, and cold atoms. It is the coordinator of the PROTEIN project, funded by ESA and BELSPO, which conducts studies of protein crystallization in microgravity.
A photo of the Colloidal Light Scattering (COLIS) engineering model made during testing at the site of RedWire, the contractor who constructed it. The identical flight model was successfully uploaded to the ISS on the NG-21 spaceflight launched 4 Aug 2024. A joint ULB and VUB team was part of an international consortium that worked closely with ESA and various subcontractors to design, build and test the instrument. The first round of COLIS experiments (scheduled for spring, 2025) will include a protein crystallization experiment conducted by the ULB/VUB team (members of which are shown with the instrument in the clean room).
