PD Dr. Urs Gasser

My research focuses on fundamental aspects in soft condensed matter physics, in particular the rich behavior of polymers and colloidal suspensions. Soft matter materials have building blocks with sizes in the nano- to micrometer range with interactions on the order of thermal energy as in atomic or molecular materials. However, the interaction energy per volume is much lower such that soft matter is often easy to deform or compress with elastic moduli on the order of 1 to 10 Pascals.
Soft matter shows a wide range of material properties and bulk behaviors beyond the well known phase behavior of atomic and molecular substances. The reason for the diversity of soft matter stems from the dependence of the constituent interactions on the size, the surface and bulk properties, the geometrical shape of the constituents, and the properties of the solvent in the case of colloids.

My four main research areas are:
• Crystal nucleation and growth in colloidal model systems.
• Interactions and phase behavior of soft colloidal particles.
• Phase behavior of mixtures of magnetic and non-magnetic colloids.
• Morphology and functional properties of grafted copolymer membranes for fuel cells.

My primary tools are small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering, light scattering, as well as real space imaging (optical microscopy).

Measuring the counterion cloud of soft microgels using SANS with contrast variation
B. Zhou, U. Gasser, and A. Fernandez-Nieves
Nature Communications 14, 3827, (2023), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-39378-5.

Experimental determination of the bulk moduli of hollow nanogels
A. Scotti, U. Gasser, A.V. Petrunin, L. Fruhner, W. Richtering, and J.E. Houston
Soft Matter 18, 5750-5758 (2022), https://doi.org/10.1039/d2sm00680d.

Compressible Microgels in Concentrated Suspensions: Phase Behavior, Flow Properties, and Scattering Techniques to Probe Their Structure and Dynamics
A. Scotti, U. Gasser, B. Zhou, A. Arenas‐Gullo, A. de la Cotte, J. Rojo González, and A. Fernandez-Nieves
p. 203-240 in Smart Stimuli-Responsive Polymers, Films, and Gels, Editors: Liang Hu, Yongfeng Gao, Michael J. Serpe (WILEY-VCH GmbH,  Weinheim, Germany, 2022).

Resolving the different bulk moduli within individual soft nanogels using small-angle neutron scattering
J.E. Houston, L. Fruhner, A. de la Cotte, J.R. Gonzalez, A.V. Petrunin, U. Gasser, R. Schweins, J. Allgaier, W. Richtering, A. Fernandez-Nieves, A. Scotti
Science Advances 8, eabn6129 (2022).

Amyloid β 42 fibril structure based on small-angle scattering
V. Lattanzi, I. André, U. Gasser, M. Dubackic, U. Olsson, and S. Linse
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 118, e2112783118 (2021).

Accurate detection of spherical objects in a complex background
U. Gasser and B. Zhou
Optics Express 29, 37048-37065 (2021), https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.434652.

Osmotic pressure of suspensions com- prised of charged microgels
A. Scotti, M. Pealeaz-Fernandez, U. Gasser, and A. Fernandez-Nieves
Phys. Rev. E 103, 012609, (2021).

Spontaneous deswelling of microgels controlled by counterion clouds
U. Gasser, A. Scotti, and A. Fernandez-Nieves
Phys. Rev. E 99, 042602, (2019).

Deactivation of Methanation Catalyst (Ru/C) Under Super-critical Water by Deposition of Non-Volatile Organics: First Insights Into Deposition Patterns and Chemical Properties
S. Bjelic, U. Gasser, I. Alxneit, and F. Vogel
ChemCatChem 11, 1747- 1755, (2019).

Scaling the Graft Length and Graft Density of Irradiation-Grafted Copolymers
G. Nagy, V. Sproll, U. Gasser, T.J. Schmidt, L. Gubler, and S. Balog
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, DOI: 10.1002/macp.201800311 (2018).

Phase behavior of binary and polydisperse suspensions of compressible microgels controlled by selective particle deswelling
A. Scotti, U. Gasser, E.S. Herman, Jun Han, A. Menzel, L.A. Lyon, and A. Fernandez-Nieves
Phys. Rev. E 96, 032609 (2017).

Small-angle neutron scattering to unravel the selective deswelling of microgel particles
A. Scotti, U. Gasser, L.A. Lyon, and A. Fernandez-Nieves
Swiss Neutron News 50, 14-21 (2017).

Radiation grafted ion-conducting membranes: The influence of variations in base film nanostructure
V. Sproll, G. Nagy, U. Gasser, J.P. Embs, M. Obiols-Rabase, T.J. Schmidt, L. Gubler, and S. Balog
Macromolecules 49, 4253-4264 (2016).

The role of ions in the self-healing behavior of soft particle suspensions
A. Scotti, U. Gasser, E.S. Herman, M. Pelaez-Fernandez, J. Han, A. Menzel, L.A. Lyon, and A. Fernandez-Nieves
PNAS 113, 5576-5581 (2016).

Structure-property correlations of ion-containing polymers for fuel cell applications
V. Sproll, G. Nagy, U. Gasser, S. Balog, S. Gustavson, T.J. Schmidt, L. Gubler
Radiation Physics and Chemistry 118, 120-123 (2016).

The CONTIN algorithm and its application to determine the size distribution of microgel suspensions
A. Scotti, W. Liu, J.S. Hyat, E.S. Herman, H.S. Choi, J.W. Kim, L.A. Lyon, U. Gasser, A. Fernandez-Nieves
The Journal of Chemical Physics142, 234905 (2015).

Form factor of pNIPAM microgels in overpacked states
U. Gasser, J.S. Hyatt, J.-J. Lietor-Santos, E.S. Herman, L.A. Lyon, A. Fernandez-Nieves
The Journal of Chemical Physics 141, 034901 (2014).

Structure of the aqueous phase and its impact on the conductivity of graft copolymer ionomers at saturation
S. Balog, K. Jetsrisuparb, U. Gasser, G.G. Scherer, L. Gubler
Polymer 55, 3026-3036 (2014).

A novel method of extraction of blend component structure from SANS measurements of homopolymer bimodal blends
O. Smerdova, R.S. Graham, U. Gasser, L.R. Hutchings, D.S.A. De Focatiis
Molecular Chemistry and Physics 215, 859-866 (2014).

Characterization of local structures with bond-order parameters and graphs of the neares neighbors, a comparision
U. Gasser, F. Ziese, G. Maret
Eur. Phys. J. Special Topics 223, 455-467 (2014).

Transient formation of bcc crystals in suspensions of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based microgels
U. Gasser, J.-J. Lietor-Santos, A. Scotti, O. Bunk, A. Menzel, A. Fernandez-Nieves
Phys. Rev. E 88, 052308 (2013).

Heterogeneous nucleation and crystal growth on curved surfaces observed by real-space imaging
F. Ziese, G. Maret, and U. Gasser
J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 25, 375105 (2013).

Structure of the hydrophilic phase and its impact on the conductivity of graft copolymer ionomers at low hydration level
S. Balog, U. Gasser, K. Jetsrisuparb, L. Gubler
Polymer 54, 4266-4275 (2013).

Ellipsoidal hybrid magnetic microgel particles with thermally tunable aspect ratios
V. Städele, U. Gasser, H. Dietsch
Soft Matter 8, 4427-4431 (2012).

Structure of the ion-rich phase in DVB cross-linked graft-copolymer proton-exchange membranes
S. Balog, U. Gasser, K. Mortensen, H. Ben Youcef, L. Gubler, and G. G. Scherer
Polymer 53 (1), 175-182 (2012).

Nano-scale morphology in graft copolymer proton-exchange membranes cross-linked with DIPB
S. Balog, U. Gasser, K. Mortensen, H. Ben Youcef, L. Gubler, and G. G. Scherer
Journal of Membrane Science 383, 50-59 (2011).

The effect of hydrostatic pressure over the swelling of microgel particles
J.J. Lietor-Santos, B. Sierra-Martin, U. Gasser, and A. Fernandez-Nieves
Soft Matter 7, 6370-6374 (2011).

Magnetic properties of silica coated spindle-type hematite particles
M. Reufer, H. Dietsch, U. Gasser, B. Grobety, A.M. Hirt, V.K. Malik, and P. Schurtenberger
J. Phys.: Condensed Matter 23, 065102 (2011).

Structural changes of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based microgels induced by hydrostatic pressure and temperature studied by small angle neutron scattering
J.-J. Lietor-Santos, U. Gasser, R. Vavrin, Z.B. Hu, and A. Fernandez- Nieves
The Journal of Chemical Physics 133, 034901 (2010).

Crystal structure of highly concentrated, ionic microgel suspensions studied by small angle X-ray scattering
U. Gasser, A. Fernandez-Nieves
Phys. Rev. E 81, 052401 (2010).

Morphology and Ori- entational Behavior of Silica-Coated Spindle-Type Hematite Particles in a Magnetic Field Probed by Small-Angle X-ray Scattering
M. Reufer, H. Dietsch, U. Gasser, A. Hirt, A. Menzel, and P. Schurten- berger
J. Phys. Chem. B 114, 4763-4769 (2010).

Melting of Crystals in Two Dimensions
U. Gasser, C. Eisenmann, G. Maret, and P. Keim
ChemPhysChem 11, 963-970 (2010).

Correlation between Morphology, Water Uptake, and Proton Conductivity in Radiation Grafted Proton Exchange Membranes
S. Balog, U. Gasser, K. Mortensen, L. Gubler, H. Ben youcef, and G. G. Scherer
Macromolecular Chemistry & Physics 211, 635-643 (2010).

Neutrons for Fuel Cells
S. Balog, U. Gasser, P. Boillat, P. Oberholzer, G. G. Scherer, E. Lehmann, and K. Mortensen
Swiss Neutron News 38, 4-13 (2010).

Deswelling Microgel Particles Using Hydrostatic Pressure
J.-J. Lietor-Santos, B. Sierra-Martin, R. Vavrin, Z. Hu, U. Gasser, and A. Fernandez-Nieves
Macromolecules 42, 6225-6230 (2009).

Crystallization in three- and two-dimensional colloidal suspensions
U. Gasser
J. Phys.: Condensed Matter 21, 203101 (2009).

Crystal structure of highly concentrated, ionic microgel suspensions studied by neutron scattering
U. Gasser, B. Sierra-Martin, and A. Fernandez-Nieves
Phys. Rev. E 79, 051403 (2009).

Structural Characterization of Radiation-Grafted Block Copolymer Films, Using SANS Technique
K. Mortensen, U. Gasser, S. Alkan Gürsel, and G.G. Scherer
Journal of Polymer Science: Part B: Polymer Physics 46, 1660 (2008).

Spinodal decomposition in a model colloid-polymer mix- ture in microgravity
B.A.E. Bailey, W.C.K. Poon, R.J. Christianson, A.B. Schofield, U. Gasser, V. Prasad, S. Manley, P.N. Segre, L. Cipelletti, W.V. Meyer, M.P. Do- herty, S. Sankaran, A.L. Jankovsky, W.L. Shiley, J.P. Bowen, J.C. Eggers, C. Kurta, T. Lorik, P.N. Pusey, and D.A. Weitz
Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 205701 (2007).

Noncentral Forces in Crystals of Charged Colloids
D. Reinke, H. Stark, H.-H. von Grünberg, A. Schofield, G. Maret, and U. Gasser
Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 038301 (2007).

Pair Interaction of Dislocations in Two-Dimensional Crystals
C. Eisenmann, U. Gasser, P. Keim, G. Maret, and H.H. von Grünberg
Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 185502 (2005).

Colloidal layers in magnetic fields and under shear flow
H. Löwen, R. Messina, N. Hoffmann, C.N. Likos, C. Eisenmann, P. Keim, U. Gasser, G. Maret, R. Goldberg, and T. Palberg
J. Phys.: Condensed Matter 17, S3379 (2005).

Time-Dependent Strength of Colloidal Gels
S. Manley, B. Davidovitch, N.R. Davies, L. Cipelletti, A.E. Bailey, R.J. Christianson, U. Gasser, V. Prasad, P.N. Segre, M.P. Doherty, S. Sankaran, A.L. Jankovsky, B. Shiley, J. Bowen, J. Eggers, C. Kurta, T. Lorik, and D.A. Weitz
Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 048302 (2005).

Anisotropic mean-square displacements in two-dimensional colloidal crystals of tilted dipoles
V.A. Froltsov, C.N. Likos, H. Löwen, C. Eisenmann, U. Gasser, P. Keim, and G. Maret
Phys. Rev. E 71, 31404-1-5 (2005).

Limits to Gelation in Colloidal Aggregation
S. Manley, V. Trappe, L. Cippelletti, A.E. Bailey, R.J. Christianson, U. Gas- ser, V. Prasad, P.N. Segre, M.P. Doherty, S. Sankaran, A.L. Jankovsky, B. Shiley, J. Bowen, K. Dendorfer, J. Eggers, C. Kurta, T. Lorik, P.N. Pusey, and D.A. Weitz
Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 108302-1-4 (2004).

Anisotropic defect mediated melting of two-dimensional colloidal crystals
C. Eisenmann, U. Gasser, P. Keim, and G. Maret
Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 105702-1-4 (2004).

Melting of anisotropic colloidal crystals in 2D
C. Eisenmann, P. Keim, U. Gasser, and G. Maret
J. Phys.: Condensed Matter 16, S4095-S4102 (2004).

Local order in a supercooled colloidal fluid observed by confocal microscopy
U. Gasser, A. Schofield, and D.A. Weitz
J. Phys.: Condensed Matter 15, 375-380 (2003).

Real-Space Imaging of Nucleation and Growth in Colloidal Crystallization
U. Gasser, Eric R. Weeks, Andrew Schofield, P.N. Pusey, and D.A. Weitz
Science 292, 258-262 (2001).

Neutron crystal field spectroscopy of RNi2B2C (R = Ho, Er, Tm)
U. Gasser, P. Allenspach, F. Fauth, W. Henggeler, J. Mesot, A. Furrer, S. Rosenkranz, P. Vorderwisch, and M. Buchgeister
Z. Phys. B 101, 345-352 (1996).