In the field of glass transition, dynamic heterogeneity is often discussed with the slowing down of dynamics for many kinds of non-ionic systems. However, the existence of heterogeneous dynamics is not limited to the glass forming non-ionic materials near the glass transition. It is also found in ionic motions in ionically conducting glasses, as well as those in ionic liquids. Interestingly, in these cases, it is also related to the cause of fast ionic motions. Dynamical and/or related structural heterogeneity are also observed in colloidal systems, metallic glasses, systems containing water, catalysts, biosystems, porous systems, and so on. That is, dynamic heterogeneity is widely observed both in ionic and non-ionic systems. Although these systems tend to be separately addressed in each research field, they should have common underlying origins and mechanisms.
This Research Topic expects to collect papers on heterogeneous dynamics and structures in these and related fields. Therefore, we encourage papers both examining common origins and examining individual characteristics of systems. Furthermore, roles of heterogeneity in the function of systems should be clarified further. Individual as well as combined works for theoretical, experimental, and simulation methodologies can be covered. We hope that this Research Topic collection can provide a resource to share knowledge and ideas with researchers in wider fields.
In the field of glass transition, dynamic heterogeneity is often discussed with the slowing down of dynamics for many kinds of non-ionic systems. However, the existence of heterogeneous dynamics is not limited to the glass forming non-ionic materials near the glass transition. It is also found in ionic motions in ionically conducting glasses, as well as those in ionic liquids. Interestingly, in these cases, it is also related to the cause of fast ionic motions. Dynamical and/or related structural heterogeneity are also observed in colloidal systems, metallic glasses, systems containing water, catalysts, biosystems, porous systems, and so on. That is, dynamic heterogeneity is widely observed both in ionic and non-ionic systems. Although these systems tend to be separately addressed in each research field, they should have common underlying origins and mechanisms.
This Research Topic expects to collect papers on heterogeneous dynamics and structures in these and related fields. Therefore, we encourage papers both examining common origins and examining individual characteristics of systems. Furthermore, roles of heterogeneity in the function of systems should be clarified further. Individual as well as combined works for theoretical, experimental, and simulation methodologies can be covered. We hope that this Research Topic collection can provide a resource to share knowledge and ideas with researchers in wider fields.