Fundamentals of Soft Matter Science

Soft materials such as liquid crystals, polymers, biomaterials, and colloidal systems touch every aspect of our lives. Not surprisingly, the rapid growth of these fields over the past few decades has resulted in an explosion of soft matter research groups worldwide. Fundamentals of Soft Matter Science introduces and explores the scientific study of soft matter and molecular self-assembly, covering the major classifications of materials, their structure and characteristics, and everyday applications. Designed for beginners to the field with a basic scientific background, this readable book emphasizes conceptual understanding, minimizing detailed mathematical derivations. Each chapter is dedicated to a different group of soft materials, including liquid crystals, surfactants, polymers, colloids, and soft biomaterials. Each subject is broken down into the essential concepts: material structures and physical characteristics, some simple theoretical ideas, and important experimental methods. The book emphasizes commonly used experimental techniques and practical applications. Full color illustrations and photographs are incorporated throughout to help describe the systems and key concepts.Table of ContentIntroductionLearning ObjectivesWhat Is Soft Matter?Basic Thermal PhysicsIntermolecular ForcesDiffusion and Random WalksSelf-AssemblyThe Phase DiagramAggregation and AssemblyMechanical Properties of Soft MatterQuestions: The Concept of Soft Materials and Their CharacteristicsReview of Thermal PhysicsReview the Mechanical Properties of MaterialsReferencesFurther ReadingLiquid CrystalsLearning ObjectivesIntroduction to Liquid CrystalsAnisotropy in Liquid CrystalsThe Order ParameterThermotropic and Lyotropic Liquid CrystalsBirefringence in Liquid CrystalsDefect TexturesThermotropic Liquid Crystal PhasesExperimental TechniquesApplications of Liquid CrystalsQuestionsThe Characteristics of Liquid Crystal MaterialsAnisotropy and BirefringenceThe Structure of Liquid Crystal PhasesExperimental Techniques and Liquid Crystal TechnologiesReferencesFurther ReadingSurfactantsLearning ObjectivesIntroductionTypes of SurfactantsSurface Tension and SurfactantsSelf-Assembly and Phase BehaviorMembrane Elasticity and CurvatureApplications of SurfactantsExperimental MethodsQuestionsPhysical and Chemical Properties of SurfactantsThe Hydrophobic EffectThe Importance of Molecular Shape on Phase Structure and Membrane CurvatureApplications and ExperimentsReferencesFurther ReadingPolymersLearning ObjectivesIntroductionEarly PolymersPolymer StructureLiquid Crystal PolymersPolymer SolutionsThe Glassy and Polymer Melt PhasesThe Mechanical Properties of PolymersExperimental TechniquesQuestionsPolymer ArchitecturePolymers in SolutionExperimental MethodsReferencesFurther ReadingColloidal MaterialsLearning ObjectivesIntroductionCharacteristics of Colloidal SystemsColloids in SuspensionCompeting Forces in Colloidal DispersionsInterparticle InteractionsColloidal AggregationColloidal CrystalsGranular MaterialsFoamsExperimental TechniquesQuestionsCharacteristics of Colloidal SystemsColloidal Aggregation and DispersionExperimental TechniquesReferencesFurther ReadingSoft Biological MaterialsLearning ObjectivesIntroductionThe Composition of the CellThe Cell MembraneProtein Structures and AssembliesExperimental TechniquesQuestionsBiomaterials as Soft MatterExperimental TechniquesReferencesFurther ReadingGlossaryAppendix A: The Fourier TransformAppendix B: Physical Constants and ConversionsAppendix C: Laue Scattering TheoryAppendix D: Entropy and Thermodynamic EquilibriumAppendix E: The Amino AcidsIndexReview Quote"The publication is written at a very fundamental level, which will make it easily readable for undergraduate students. It will certainly also be a valuable text for students and postgraduates in interdisciplinary programmes, as not only physical aspects, but also the chemistry and applications are presented and discussed. … The book is well illustrated, and I really do like the examples and pictures provided for simple demonstration experiments, which can be done during the lectures. Also, the experimental techniques chapter at the end of the book may be helpful. The question sections are helpful to deepen the understanding of the learned concepts."—Ingo Dierking, Liquid Crystals Today, Vol. 23, 2014 "… a welcome addition … succeeds in giving a broad overview and conveying the fascination of the field."—Hans M. Wyss, Physics Today, November 2013 "A nicely structured book that is at the right level for undergraduates. I’ll recommend it for our soft matter course and to others."—Professor Helen F. Gleeson, University of Manchester "Broader in coverage than existing texts … a very good introduction to the field of soft matter."—Professor Gary Bryant, RMIT University, MelbourneBiographical NoteLinda S. Hirst, Ph.D., is a professor of physics at the University of California, Merced, where she runs a soft matter experimental research group and teaches introductory physics and condensed matter physics.