This book covers some fundamental aspects and frontiers in non-equilibrium physics and soft matter research. Apart from the basic knowledge on nonlinear statistic physics, dynamics, computer simulations, and main approaches and emerging systems in soft matter research, particular attention is devoted to new conceptual flexible functional materials and the enriching areas, such as silk meso-molecular materials, molecular gels, liquid crystals, flexible electronics and new types of catalysis, etc. One of the main characteristics of this book is to start with the structure formation dynamics and the correlation between the structures and macroscopic performance. This lays down the foundation for the mesoscopic materials design and functionalization. The book is intended for upper undergraduate students, graduate students, and researchers who are interested in soft matter researches. As one of main references, the basic principles and technologies of computer simulations and experimental methods adopted in soft matter research are also explained. Illustrations and tables are included in this book to improve the readability, and examples and exercises are added to help understanding.

Professor Xiang-Yang Liu is joint professor at Xiamen University, China and National University of Singapore, Singapore. He is currently the State Distinguished Professor of the 1000 Talent Program, Chair Professor of China MOE Changjiang Scholars Program. He is the vice Dean of the College of Physical Science and Technology, Director of the Research Institute for Biomimetics and Soft Matter, Xiamen University, the State 111 Intellectual Recruitment Base, the Director of Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Flexible Materials etc. Prof. Liu has authored 4 books. 23+ invited book chapters, and > 300 peer reviewed papers, including > 70 papers in high impact journals, ie. Nature, Chem. Soc. Rev, JACS, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., Adv. Mater., Nature Comm., Phys. Rev. Lett., etc. Many results were widely cited by Nature Science Update, Nature Physics Portal, Nature Materials Update etc. His international stand can be substantiated by his delivery of 140+ plenary/keynote or invited talks in international conferences and workshops, the organization of 30+ international conferences/symposia, and receiving numerous awards.Prof. Liu's research interests range from crystallization to biomimetics, soft matters, etc. His works on the mesoscopic structure and nucleation kinetics can be regarded as a few among the breakthroughs received numerous citations, which can be found relevant implications in design and fabrication of flexible materials and flexible electronics.In addition to his academic achievements, he also serves for many national and international boards/Institutions, ie. the 5th President of the Asia Association for Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology, the councilor of the International Organization for Crystal Growth, the Guess-Editor-in-Chief for Small, Adv. Funct. Mater, and J. Crystal Growth, etc.