What are you researching right now, Ms Ripoll?

Dr. Marisol Ripoll, Institute of Complex Systems, Theoretical Soft Matter and Biophysics division (ICS-2/IAS-2)

“I’m investigating Janus particles – tiny particles that have two ‘faces’ like the Roman god Janus. The particles combine different properties. One example: the reaction to heat. If a liquid containing such particles is irradiated with laser light, one half of a particle heats up, the other half sets the particle in motion. In addition, the heated halves influence the neighbouring particles. Besides that, vortices and currents are created. Everything taken together changes the properties of the liquid. Such micromotors could be used to specifically control the behaviour of liquids and thus develop intelligent materials.”