Atomic-scale electrodynamic and dielectric polarization properties of soft matter-water interfaces

This project aims to probe and understand electrodynamic and dielectric polarization properties of soft matter on the atomic scale, with particular focus on the interfacial water near biomolecular surfaces, so-called "biological water". This water is known to have different electrical properties than bulk water that

influence biomolecular structuring and functioning, particularly of DNA and protein complexes, yet they remain unknown for lack of experimental tools. The project will build on previous breakthroughs of the PI, who succeeded probing the polarization properties of interfacial water near solid surfaces using and developing novel scanning probe techniques.