Many researchers in colloid science would immediately agree that this topic is one of the most fascinating and important research fields. However, this view is not shared by all. Especially, in Switzerland, the situation of colloid science is bit unique, and that's the topic to be discussed here.
At the beginning of the last century, Albert Einstein published his landmark paper on thermal motion of colloidal particles, while working at the patent office in Berne, Switzerland [1]. In spite of this fact, however, very few research groups were working on colloids in Switzerland during that century. In spite of substantial activities in industrial formulation labs in this area, this subject was virtually nonexistent in academia — old fashioned, dirty, and not as fancy as laser spectroscopy and quantum mechanics.
The good news for colloid science is that this situation is changing visibly. This field is blooming at the federal institutes of technology, especially in chemical engineering, material, food, and environmental sciences. Some recent appointments at the ETHZ lie entirely in the colloid area, notably Hans Herrmann, Lucio Isa, David Norris, and Jan Vermant. Even the chemistry department at ETHZ cannot resist working on colloids — just look at the activities of the groups of Massimo Morbidelli or Wendelin Stark. The list could be continued. Good to see that these institutions finally understood that with one can do respectable science with colloids too.
Federal research institutes add to the momentum. The key signal was set the nineties by the PSI with the establishment of the neutron spallation source and two small angle beam lines SANS-I and SANS-II (or SANSLI, Swiss German speakers will enjoy the diminutive). The research carried out by the beam line scientists is - colloids, of course. The next boost came with the construction of the synchrotron and the appointment of its director Friso van der Veen - also a colloid scientist. At EAWAG colloidal particles were always in focus, while EMPA joined the club in more recently. Given the strong applied science aspect of these institutes, one only wonders, why so late?
While this field is still rather poorly represented in physics and chemistry departments at Swiss cantonal universities, but fortunately University of Fribourg is the exception to the rule. The colloid activities were initiated there by Peter Schurtenberger (he left in the meantime) and the establishment of the Adolphe Merkle Institute (AMI). Right now, this university and the AMI host numerous groups are working on colloids, most notably those of Joe Brader, Alke Fink, Marco Lattuada, Barbara Rothen, Frank Scheffold, and Ullrich Steiner. So there we got a true Swiss miniature colloid center — fantastic.
Further positive signal is the establishment of regular scientific meetings. More physics oriented are the Swiss Soft Days taking place every 3 months, while the activities of the newly established Division of Polymers, Colloids, and Interfaces of the Swiss Chemical Society focus rather towards chemistry and materials. These meetings reflect a close affiliation of colloid and polymer sciences in Switzerland, and indeed the evolution of both subjects was similar [2]. The meetings always attract plenty of participants, which is great.
Why this sudden change? Just some possible factors. The US nanotechnology initiative established during the Clinton administration in 2000 had plenty of followers worldwide, and surely is a key element. I catch myself referring to nanoparticles instead of colloids too, and many prefer that term nowadays. The crisis of the industry job market that started with the fall of the iron curtain in the nineties, followed by a drop of students numbers in physics and chemistry, do contribute too. This evolution is putting substantial pressure on the traditional university curricula, especially on the minor disciplines. One should reorient to attract students. Colloids, sorry, nanoparticles, come in just handy. Could people also start to realize that colloids are fun?
Michal Borkovec, June 21, 2014
References
[1] A. Einstein (1905) Über die von der molekularkinetischen Theorie der Wärme geforderte Bewegung von in ruhenden Flüssigkeiten suspendierten Teilchen, Ann. Physik, 17, 549-560.
[2] C. Quellet (2008) Polymer and colloid chemistry in Switzerland, Chimia 62, 773-775.
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