The hidden hierarchical nature of soft particulate gels

Soft particulate gels are composed of a small amount matter dispersed in continuous fluid phase. The solid components assemble to form porous matrix, providing rigidity and control the mechanical response, despite being minority constituent. rheological response gel elasticity direct functions particle volume fraction. However, diverse range different functional dependencies reported experimentally has challenged efforts identify general scaling laws. Here we reveal hidden hierarchical organization fractal elements that controls viscoelastic spectrum, which is associated with spatial heterogeneity matrix topology. foundations master curve, constructed using large-scale three-dimensional (3D) microscopic simulations model gels, can be described by recursive ladder over fractions gelation rates. hierarchy provides missing framework required predict linear these complex materials. Colloidal consist particles embedded fluid. It now found gel’s relating properties deformation frequencies, understood modelling as networks units, connected hierarchically.