New research has identified how liquid-like materials can change into a solid-like state without the addition of extra particles or changes in volume.
Liquid-like materials with particles in, known as dense suspensions, are found in the food industry (for example molten chocolate) and clay deposits on the bottom of oceans or rivers.
Understanding the 'jamming transition' - when such a system behaves like a solid (if you want to build something on it) or when it flows (important if you want to process it) - could help in the design of new materials that actively use this transition from fluid-like to solid-like behaviour.
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