Simulating Glass and Gel Transitions in Soft Particle Packings

The transition from liquid to solid in soft particle systems is governed by the interplay between particle concentration, interparticle interactions, and the kinetics of solidification. As the particle concentration increases, the system undergoes a percolation process, eventually transitioning from a liquid-like to a solid-like state. This transition is highly sensitive to the nature of the interparticle interactions, such as attractive or repulsive forces, which significantly influence the formation of network structures. Experimental observations have shown that the kinetics of solidification, along with these interactions, play a crucial role in determining the characteristics of the transition.

We simulate the liquid-to-solid transition in soft particle packings under various conditions of interparticle interactions and solidification kinetics. Using a modified Lubachevsky-Stillinger algorithm specifically designed to model attractive interactions between particles, we explore the dynamics of particle aggregation and network formation. The algorithm allows us to capture the complex behavior of attractive systems, where particles tend to aggregate and form networked structures, mimicking gel-like or glass-like transitions.

Our simulations provide insight into the critical conditions for percolation, the emergence of gel networks, and the glass transition. By varying both the interparticle interaction strength and the solidification rate, we examine how these factors influence the final state of the system. We further investigate how the transition point changes under different experimental conditions and compare our results with existing theoretical models.

This work highlights the importance of both interaction type and kinetic factors in determining the nature of the liquid-to-solid transition in soft particle systems, offering a deeper understanding of the physics behind glass and gel transitions in suspensions. These findings have implications for a wide range of applications, including colloidal suspensions, soft matter systems, and material design.