Rice’s Matteo Pasquali Honored as Fellow of The Society of Rheology

Matteo Pasquali, a distinguished figure in the discipline of chemical and biomolecular engineering, has recently been elected as a fellow of The Society of Rheology (SoR), a prestigious honor that recognizes his outstanding contributions to the understanding of complex fluids and soft matter physics. Pasquali holds the A.J. Hartsook Professorship at Rice University, where he also serves as a professor of chemistry and materials science and nanoengineering. This accolade places him among an elite group of scientists, as fewer than 0.5% of SoR members receive this distinction annually, underscoring the exceptional nature of his work.

The Society of Rheology, a global leader in the study of flow and deformation of matter, garners the attention of top researchers who seek to unravel the intricate behaviors of liquids and soft solids under various forces. Pasquali’s recognition by SoR highlights not only his pioneering research but also his dedication to training the next generation of rheologists, underscoring the critical role he plays in advancing both the science and the community of rheologists. His contributions have profoundly influenced the field, particularly in soft matter—a domain characterized by the unusual and multifaceted behaviors of materials made up of polymers, colloids, liquid crystals, and biological matter.

Since joining the Rice University faculty in 2000, Pasquali has been instrumental in elevating the university’s focus on rheology. Early in his tenure, he established a rheological characterization facility that has since become integral to the Rice Shared Equipment Authority. This facility enables precise measurement and analysis of the viscoelastic properties of complex fluids, which is essential for developing innovative materials and manufacturing processes. His work bridges fundamental physics with applied chemical engineering, positioning Rice as a notable hub for soft matter research.

At the heart of Pasquali’s scientific inquiry lies the investigation of complex fluids—materials whose flow behavior deviates from classical Newtonian mechanics due to their internal structure and interactions. His laboratory, known as the cf2 group (complex flows of complex fluids), explores the underlying mechanisms governing the continuous-flow manufacturing of advanced materials, spanning from carbon nanomaterials to liquid crystalline phases of nanoscale building blocks. This research not only elucidates fundamental physics but also paves the way for scalable production methods that could revolutionize industries reliant on high-performance materials.

One of Pasquali’s landmark achievements includes the development of new carbon materials with exceptional mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. Through meticulous synthesis and processing innovations, his team has created carbon nanotube fibers with unprecedented strength and scalability. Such fibers hold promise in sectors ranging from aerospace to wearable electronics, offering lighter, stronger, and more conductive alternatives to traditional materials. The nanoengineered nature of these fibers allows for tunable properties that are finely controlled at the molecular level.

In addition to carbon nanomaterials, Pasquali’s research encompasses the discovery of novel liquid crystalline phases in nanomaterials. Liquid crystals, materials that exhibit properties between liquids and solids, introduce unique flow dynamics that challenge conventional rheological theories. His group’s work on these phases has expanded the understanding of how nanoscale interactions dictate macroscopic material behavior, providing insight into the design of responsive materials and soft robotics. These advanced materials exhibit not only remarkable structural order but also dynamic adaptability.

Further broadening the impact of his research, Pasquali has made seminal contributions to the rheology of everyday complex fluids such as polymers, emulsions, and biological suspensions like blood. Emulsions, for example, are systems where immiscible liquids form dispersions stabilized by interfacial forces, characterized by nonlinear flow behavior that influences everyday products from cosmetics to foodstuffs. Pasquali’s investigations into the microscopic origins of these macroscopic properties have helped clarify the mechanisms that dictate their stability and flow, enhancing the ability to tailor these materials for specific applications.

Pasquali’s influence extends deeply into education and collaborative initiatives within and beyond Rice University. He developed an advanced graduate course in rheology that emphasizes hands-on experimental training with complex fluids, catering to students from Rice, the University of Houston, various Texas Medical Center institutions, and local industrial partners. This educational effort directly addresses the growing need for skilled rheologists in academia and industry, strengthening the knowledge pipeline in a field increasingly critical to materials science and engineering.

A key aspect of Pasquali’s leadership has been the fostering of interdisciplinary collaborations that bridge chemical engineering, physics, chemistry, and materials science. Through these partnerships, his group advances the experimental techniques and theoretical models necessary to comprehend and manipulate the flows of complex fluids at multiple length and time scales. This approach not only enriches fundamental understanding but also drives innovation in manufacturing processes, enabling the design of new materials with desired properties and functionalities.

Recognizing the broader implications of his work, Pasquali also directs the Carbon Hub, a unique coalition of universities and industry aiming to develop sustainable carbon materials as part of the energy and materials transition. This initiative focuses on eco-friendly carbon fiber and composite technologies that reduce the carbon footprint of construction and manufacturing sectors while enhancing performance. Supported by corporate partners and the Kavli Foundation’s Exploration Award in Nanoscience for Sustainability, the Carbon Hub exemplifies how fundamental materials research translates to global environmental and economic challenges.

Throughout his distinguished career, Pasquali has received numerous accolades reflecting his scientific excellence and mentorship. Prior honors include fellowships in the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, alongside awards such as the Rice Presidential Award for Mentoring and the National Science Foundation CAREER Award. These honors complement his recent election as a SoR fellow, collectively acknowledging his broad impact in advancing materials science and rheology.

The formal induction of Matteo Pasquali as a fellow of The Society of Rheology will take place during SoR’s annual meeting in Santa Fe, New Mexico, scheduled for October 19-23. This milestone marks a historic moment for Rice University, as Pasquali becomes the first faculty member from the institution to receive this distinction. His election not only celebrates individual achievement but also highlights the growing prominence of Rice as a leader in soft matter science and engineering.

In the words of Sibani Lisa Biswal, senior associate dean of engineering and computing at Rice, “Matteo Pasquali’s election as a fellow of The Society of Rheology is a richly deserved honor that reflects both his pioneering research and his exceptional leadership in the field.” She emphasizes that many Rice faculty now utilize rheology to characterize advanced materials—a testament to the foundation Pasquali has built through his sustained commitment to research excellence, collaboration, and education. His legacy is manifested both in breakthrough science and in the vibrant research community he has helped cultivate.

This appointment not only honors Pasquali’s past achievements but also positions him to continue influencing the trajectory of soft matter physics and materials engineering. As industrial and scientific challenges demand increasingly sophisticated understanding and control of complex fluids, leaders like Pasquali stand at the forefront of translating fundamental rheological insights into revolutionary technologies. His election as a SoR fellow signals a bright future for both the researcher and the broader scientific domain he passionately advances.

Subject of Research: Rheology and Soft Matter Physics, Complex Fluids, Carbon Nanomaterials, Advanced Materials Manufacturing

Article Title: Matteo Pasquali Elected Fellow of The Society of Rheology for Pioneering Advances in Complex Fluids and Soft Matter Science

News Publication Date: Not explicitly stated in content (likely 2024)

Web References:

https://www.rheology.org/sor/Fellowship/Fellows.aspx?Year=2025
https://chbe.rice.edu/

CF2 Group

https://carbonhub.rice.edu/

Image Credits: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University

Keywords

Continuum mechanics, Rheology, Chemistry

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