Fractional Calculus and Fractals in Colloidal and Soft Matter Systems

Dear Colleagues,

Colloidal and soft matter systems, including suspensions, gels, emulsions, and complex fluids, exhibit rich dynamical behaviour characterised by memory effects, anomalous transport, long-range correlations, and multiscale structural organisation. Classical integer-order models often fail to capture these nonlocal and history-dependent phenomena. Fractional calculus and fractal-based frameworks provide powerful mathematical tools to describe such complex behaviours across scales.

This Special Issue aims to collate theoretical, computational, and experimental advances in the application of fractional calculus and fractal concepts to colloidal and soft matter systems. It seeks to provide a focused forum for interdisciplinary research at the interface of fractional mathematics, materials science, and complex physical systems.

Contributions addressing fractional differential models, fractal geometry, anomalous diffusion, memory-driven dynamics, and nonlocal responses in colloidal materials are particularly encouraged. This Special Issue also welcomes the submission of studies exploring emerging applications of fractional and fractal approaches in functional, adaptive, and neuromorphic materials based on colloidal systems.

By fostering dialogue between mathematicians, physicists, and materials scientists, this Special Issue aims to advance fundamental understanding and stimulate new directions in the modelling and design of complex materials using fractional and fractal methodologies.

Dr. Noushin Raeisi Kheirabadi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the Special Issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fractal and Fractional is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.