Soft Condensed Matter (Materia Condensata Soffice)

TL;DR

This paper reviews the evolution of soft matter physics throughout the 20th century, highlighting its development as a distinct scientific discipline.

Contribution

It provides a historical overview of soft matter physics, emphasizing key developments and milestones in its scientific evolution during the 20th century.

Findings

Soft matter physics emerged as a distinct discipline in the 20th century.

Key milestones shaped the development of soft matter science.

Historical perspective enhances understanding of current soft matter research.

Abstract

This article was written for a multi-volume History of Science, and published in Italian translation: Storia della Scienza, Volume IX, La Grande Scienza, pp 645-656 (published by Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana, Fondata da Giovanni Treccani, 2003). In it, I describe the evolution of soft matter physics as a discipline during the 20th century.