Phase-field models for colloidal systems: First steps, perspectives and open challenges

One of the great perspectives arising from the investigation of colloids today is, that they have matured to be seen as an experimentally easily accessable model system for fundamental problems of materials science. Phase-field models can support respective experimental investigations via corresponding simulation studies that test, verify and extrapolate hypothesis obtained from such experiments. The aim of this article is to elucidate the perspectives originating from the combination of both to a comprehensive experimental – simulation model approach for basic open issues underlying today’s challenge to tailor new materials with continuously improving materials properties. In this article the perspectives as well as the methodological open issues of such a comprehensive experimental – simulation approach based on colloidal systems is pointed out at the example of nucleation. Furthermore, an outlook on analogous perspectives for defect nucleation and dislocation dynamics is given.