Packing Problems in Soft Matter Physics: Fundamentals and Applications

Packing problems, which are concerned with optimal arrangements of objects in space, are cross-disciplinary in nature and are encountered in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and architecture. Such problems form a subject of interest in its own right, providing intriguing intellectual challenges, but are also at the heart of many material properties of condensed matter. In view of this, a series of international conferences on packing problems was launched in 2012 to provide a platform for soft-matter researchers to disseminate their findings. To continue the spirit of this conference series, this international community of researchers has also been invited to contribute reviews of their research to this book. Covering topics on models of ordered and disordered packings, mechanical behaviour of packings, and applications in soft matter and biology, this book provides a broad and authoritative overview of current research.