Traditional structural probes reveal little change associated with the rapid slowing down of dynamics as liquids turn into glasses. This review synthesizes results from colloid experiments, primarily real-space studies conducted over roughly the past decade, aimed at resolving the disconnect between structure and dynamics. We examine how order-agnostic measures—excess entropy, point-to-set length scales, machine-learned softness, intermediate-range order, and soft modes—provide a robust link between static structure and dynamics. A key theme that emerges from these studies is the need to consider structural correlations that extend well beyond the first nearest-neighbor shell. Finally, we discuss the devitrification of a colloidal glass and draw upon findings that demonstrate how the hidden structure in the glassy state dictates the subsequent crystallization pathway. Taken together, these studies help establish a quantitative, structure-based framework of glass formation and stability.
Mishra et al. (Mon,) studied this question.