معرفی
Matilda Backholm is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Physics at Aalto University, specializing in soft matter physics, fluid dynamics, and surface science. Her research focuses on fundamental interactions between liquids and structured surfaces, with applications in materials science and biophysics.
Her primary research areas include soft matter mechanics, droplet dynamics on superhydrophobic surfaces, wetting phenomena across multiple scales, and the biophysics of cellular systems. She investigates how surface topography and chemical properties govern liquid behavior at micro/nanoscales, with particular emphasis on friction reduction, droplet mobility, and immune cell mechanics. Her work bridges experimental physics with practical applications in microfluidics, nanomedicine, and advanced materials.
Analysis of her recent publications (2017-2025) reveals consistent focus on interfacial phenomena, with major themes including: superhydrophobic surface engineering, ferrofluid manipulation, viscosity effects in confined systems, and mechanical properties of biological aggregates. Her research demonstrates sophisticated experimental techniques combined with theoretical modeling to address fundamental questions in fluid-surface interactions.
She has received significant recognition including:
- Academy of Finland Postdoctoral Grant (2017)
- Ruth and Nils-Erik Stenbäck Prize for career accomplishments (2017)
- Finnish Academy of Science and Letters Väisälä Starting Grant (2023)
- Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation grant (2023)
- Research Council of Finland Research Fellowship (2023)
- ERC Starting Grant (2023)
Dr. Backholm leads the “Living, Fluid, & Soft Matter” research group and has secured substantial funding including multiple personal grants from Finnish national bodies and European competitive programs. Her collaborative work spans physics, materials science, and biomedical engineering, with publications in high-impact journals such as Nature Materials, PNAS, and Science Advances.
Her laboratory develops advanced experimental platforms for studying liquid-solid interactions at micro/nanoscales, including custom micropipette force sensors and high-precision droplet manipulation systems. Current research directions integrate magnetic field control with soft matter systems and explore biological implications of surface physics.
