ACIS 2026 Themes

This year we have 7 themes. Please see below for more information on each one.

1. Colloidal and Interfacial Phenomena in Formulated Products
2. Bio-colloids and Biomaterials: Interfaces for Health and Agriculture
3. Colloids and Interfaces in Mineral Processing 
4. Self-assembly and Scattering Techniques

5. Fluid-Solid-Gas Interfaces: The Science of Wetting, Droplets, and Bubble Formation

6. Colloids for Sustainability and Energy 

7. Frontiers in Colloids
   

Theme 1: Colloidal and Interfacial Phenomena in Formulated Products

Theme Chairs: Maryam Hosseini and Patrick Spicer (UNSW)

This session will explore the critical role of colloids and interfacial phenomena in the design, stability, and performance of formulated products across diverse industries. Colloids, polymers, and surface-active ingredients form the basis for an enormous number of commercial formulated fluid products. The structures they form, and their response to flow, can control the performance of a product, its long-term stability, and the processes used to manufacture the products at a large scale.

We invite theoretical, computational, and experimental contributions studying colloidal and interfacial phenomena within formulated systems, including but not limited to the following topics:

• Interfacial adsorption and dynamics of surfactants, proteins, and polymers
• Processing effects on colloidal and interfacial structures in products
• Particle-stabilized emulsions and foams
• Rheology of interfaces and bulk formulated products
• Stability and shelf-life of complex dispersions
• Phase behaviour and microstructure of multi-component systems
• Controlled release and delivery systems
• Interfacial phenomena in sustainable and bio-based formulations

Theme 2. Bio-colloids and Biomaterials: Interfaces for Health and Agriculture 

Theme Chairs: Kristian Kempe (Monash University), Anton Blencowe (Adelaide University), Renee Goreham (The University of Newcastle)

Biological colloids and biomaterials form a dynamic interface between soft matter physics, chemistry, and biology, playing a critical role in fields as diverse as medicine, biotechnology, agriculture and environmental science, and advanced materials design. These systems include a range of components—from proteins and extracellular vesicles to responsive polymers and engineered nanoparticles—interacting in complex fluid environments.

This theme welcomes contributions that explore the structure, function, and interfacial behaviour of biologically-relevant colloids and materials. We aim to highlight experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches that offer insight into bio-colloidal stability, surface interactions, and functionalisation for applications such as drug/bioactive delivery, diagnostics, bio-sensing, and tissue engineering. Studies focused on the development of sustainable and biocompatible materials are particularly encouraged.

With the increasing relevance of biologically inspired and functional colloids in emerging technologies, this theme provides a forum for interdisciplinary exchange and showcases the critical role of colloid and interface science in improving human health.

Theme topics:

• Biological colloids at interfaces (e.g., proteins, EVs, viruses, lipids)
• Biocompatible and bioresponsive nanoparticles
• Functionalisation of colloids for biomedical applications (e.g., drug delivery, biosensing, imaging)
• Extracellular vesicles and their interfacial interactions
• Colloid-based diagnostic platforms and medical devices
• Interactions of soft biomaterials with biological membranes or tissues
• Hydrogels, including nano and microgels for biomedical applications
• Biodegradable colloids and sustainable biomaterials
• Biointerfaces in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
• Characterisation of bio-colloids at interfaces and bio-nano interactions
• Modelling and simulation of bio-colloidal behaviour

Theme 3. Colloids and Interfaces in Mineral Processing

Theme Chair(s): George Franks (The University of Melbourne), Mahshid Firouzi (The University of Newcastle), Piotr Pawliszak (Adelaide University)

Colloidal particles and interfacial phenomena are central to efficient mineral processing. This theme explores both the fundamental and applied aspects of colloids and interfaces in key mineral processing operations such as froth flotation, flocculation, dewatering, slurry transport, and tailings management. Interfacial interactions between particles, bubbles, and bubble–particle aggregates, along with the adsorption behaviour of reagents at solid–fluid and liquid–fluid interfaces, underpin the performance of these processes.

We invite theoretical, computational, and experimental contributions that deepen the scientific and practical understanding of colloidal and interfacial phenomena in mineral processing, covering but not limited to the following topics:

• Surface forces governing bubble–particle interactions
• Adsorption of reagents at solid–liquid, liquid–gas and liquid-liquid interfaces
• Emulsions and foams in mineral processing
• Selective flocculation and aggregation of fine particles
• Novel reagents such as biosurfactants, peptides, and biopolymers
• Novel synthetic and green reagents
• Technologies based on interfacial interactions for optimised mineral selectivity and recovery
• Colloidal interactions in flotation, flocculation, and agglomeration
• Colloidal and interfacial interactions in solid–liquid separation, tailings, and waste management
• Colloidal effects in dewatering processes including thickening, filtration, and centrifugation
• Advanced characterisation techniques for colloidal systems and interfaces
• Modelling and simulation of colloidal interactions in multiphase systems

Theme 4. Self-assembly and Scattering Techniques

Theme Chair(s): Livia Salvati Manni (Monash University) and Marta Krasowska (Adelaide University)

This theme focuses on the spontaneous organization of molecules and particles into hierarchical 3D structures across multiple length scales, driven by inter-molecular and inter-particle forces. Self-assembly plays a crucial role in biological processes and industrial applications, ranging from cellular organisation to advanced functional materials. Advanced scattering techniques, including static and dynamic light scattering, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), provide essential tools for real-time characterisation of structure, dynamics, and formation mechanisms in these complex systems.

We invite contributions exploring structure-function control through external field manipulation (optical, thermal, acoustic, magnetic) and synergistic building block combinations. This theme highlights how scattering methods are advancing our understanding of self-assembly mechanisms and enabling the rational design of hierarchically organized materials.

• Fundamental insights into self and directed assembly mechanisms
• Advanced scattering techniques for real-time monitoring of self-assembly
• Bio-inspired self-assembly and biomimetic systems
• Self-assembly at interfaces and confined environments
• Polymer-surfactant interactions and mixed systems
• Colloidal self-assembly and crystallization
• Dynamic self-assemblies and kinetics of assembly processes
• External field-directed assembly (optical, magnetic, thermal, acoustic)
• Multi-scale characterisation using combined scattering methods
• Design and fabrication of novel self-assembly building blocks

Theme 5. Fluid-Solid-Gas Interfaces: The Science of Wetting, Droplets, and Bubble Formation

Theme Chair(s): Craig Priest (Adelaide University) and Joe Berry (Melbourne University)

This theme focuses on the phenomena occurring at solid-liquid and liquid-fluid interfaces, from the science of wetting and droplet behaviour to the complex dynamics of surfactant adsorption and the formation of foams and emulsions. We welcome cutting-edge research that spans the full spectrum from equilibrium states to dynamic processes, and from theoretical frameworks to practical applications.

Contributions to the following topics are of particular interest:

• Wetting
• Contact angles hysteresis, dynamic contact angles, and imbibition
• Hydrodynamic boundary conditions at solid-liquid and liquid-fluid interfaces
• Micro- and nano-fluidics
• Surfactant adsorption at solid-liquid and liquid-fluid interfaces
• Foam and emulsion films
• Bubbles and drops
• Microfluidics and droplet-based systems
  

Theme 6. Colloids for Sustainability and Energy theme

Theme Chair(s): Khay Fong and Karolina Matuszek (Monash University) and Rob Atkin (UWA)

This theme highlights the increasingly important role of colloidal systems in solar energy harvesting, water treatment and remediation, biodegradable composites, and decarbonization efforts that are essential for our planet's future. From sustainable synthesis methods and novel self-assembly strategies to advanced characterisation techniques, colloidal research offers significant potential for addressing global challenges.

We invite contributions that showcase the fundamental science, emerging phenomenology, and practical applications of colloids as we work toward a more sustainable world and develop innovative approaches to energy harvesting, conversion, and storage.

• Design and synthesis of sustainable surfactants and nanomaterials for energy and sustainability
• Synthesis, characterization and applications of bioderived/biosourced dispersions and nanocomposites.
• Dispersions for photothermal and photocatalytic applications.
• Applications of colloids in recycling waste and recovery of value-added products.
• Physicochemical understanding and practical remediation of microplastics.
• Colloids for water purification and desalination
• Green solvents

Theme 7. Frontiers in Colloids 

Theme Chair(s): Benjamin Boyd (Monash University)

This session will showcase cutting-edge advances in colloidal science, exploring emerging concepts, novel materials, and innovative methodologies that are pushing the boundaries of our understanding of colloidal systems. As the field continues to evolve, new experimental techniques, theoretical frameworks, and computational approaches are revealing unprecedented insights into colloidal behavior at multiple length and time scales.

We invite theoretical, computational, and experimental contributions that represent the forefront of colloidal research, including but not limited to the following topics:

• Active and responsive colloidal systems
• Machine learning and AI applications in colloidal science
• Advanced characterization techniques and real-time monitoring
  
• Colloidal systems under extreme conditions
• Single-particle dynamics and heterogeneity
• Novel synthesis and fabrication methods
  
• Colloidal assembly and self-organization