Soft matter physics Books

Book SynopsisThis new edition is a comprehensive update of Introduction to Microfluidics, showing the fundamentals of the technology, providing concepts and methods for understanding, designing and microfabricating microfluidics devices.Trade ReviewA unique book, combining an unusually broad view of the field with a solid understanding of science and engineering fundamentals. There has been an explosion in the number and type of applications, and the additions and re-written portions add a lot of value. * Howard Stone, Princeton University *Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: Physics at the microscale 3: Hydrodynamics of microuidics 1: channels 4: Hydrodynamics of microuidics 2: droplets 5: Transport in microuidics 6: Electrokinetics 7: An introduction to microfabrication Index

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Book SynopsisSoft Matter science is concerned with soft materials such as polymers, colloids, liquid crystals, and foams, and has emerged as a rich interdisciplinary field over the last 30 years. Drawing on physics, chemistry, mathematics and engineering, soft matter links fundamental scientific ideas to everyday phenomena. One such example is ''polymers'', encountered in plastic materials and melted cheese, which illustrate how ''sliminess'' emerges from the flow and form of giant molecules.This Very Short Introduction delves into the field of soft matter, looking beneath the appearances of matter into its inner structure. Tom McLeish shows how Brownian Motion - the random local motion of molecules that gives rise to ''heat'' - is an underlying principle of soft matter. From hair conditioner to honey, he discusses how the shared physical properties and characteristics of these materials influence the way they behave, and their industrial applications.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewWhat comes across is McLeish's passion for his topic, his wonder at how nature creates rhymes and variations in the poetry of the physical world, and his joy in the mysteries and delights to be found in the apparently mundane. * Phil Ball, Los Angeles Review of Books *Table of Contents1: Introduction: the science of softness 2: Milkiness and inkiness: the crowding of the colloids 3: Sliminess and stickiness: the march of the macromolecules 4: Soapiness: the synchrony of self-assembly 5: Pearliness: the light-play of liquid crystals 6: Towards life: active soft matter Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisThis book provides an introduction to this exciting and relatively new subject with chapters covering natural and synthetic polymers, colloids, surfactants and liquid crystals highlighting the many and varied applications of these materials. Written by an expert in the field, this book will be an essential reference for people working in both industry and academia and will aid in understanding of this increasingly popular topic. Contains a new chapter on biological soft matter Newly edited and updated chapters including updated coverage of recent aspects of polymer science. Contain problems at the end of each chapter to facilitate understanding Trade Review"...Introduction to Soft Matter is an extremely valuable textbook for undergraduate classes, and represents an excellent introductory reading for the researchers who venture on this field." (Macromol. Chem. Phys. 2008, 209, 1073)Table of ContentsPreface to the revised Edition. Preface to the First Edition. 1. Introduction. 1.1 Introduction. 1.2 Intermolecular Interactions. 1.3 Structural Organization. 1.4 Dynamics. 1.5 Phase Transitions. 1.6 Order Parameters. 1.7 Scaling Laws. 1.8 Polydispersity. 1.9 Experimental Techniques for Investigating Soft Matter. 1.10 Computer Simulation. Further Reading. 2. Polymers. 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Synthesis. 2.3 Polymer Chain Conformation. 2.4 Characterization. 2.5 Polymer Solutions. 2.6 Amorphous Polymers. 2.7 Crystalline Polymers. 2.8 Plastics. 2.9 Rubber. 2.10 Fibres. 2.11 Polymer Blends and Block Copolymers. 2.12 Dendrimers and Hyperbranched Polymers. 2.13 Polyelectrolytes. 2.14 Electronic and Opto-electronic Polymers. Further Reading. Questions. 3. Colloids. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Types of Colloids. 3.3 Forces Between Colloidal Particles. 3.4 Characterization of Colloids. 3.5 Charge Stabilization. 3.6 Steric Stabilization. 3.7 Effect of Polymers on Colloid Stability. 3.8 Kinetic Properties. 3.9 Sols. 3.10 Gels. 3.11 Clays. 3.12 Foams. 3.13 Emulsions. 3.14 Food Colloids. 3.15 Concentrated Colloidal Dispersions. Further Reading. Questions. 4. Amphiphiles. 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Types of Amphiphile. 4.3 Surface Activity. 4.4 Surfactant Monolayers and Langmuir-Blodgett Films. 4.5 Adsorption at Solid Interfaces. 4.6 Micellization and the Critical Micelle Concentration. 4.7 Detergency. 4.8 Solubilization in Micelles. 4.9 Interfacial Curvature and Its Relationship to Molecular Structure. 4.10 Liquid Crystal Phases at High Concentrations. 4.11 Membranes. 4.12 Templated Structures. Further Reading. Questions. 5. Liquid Crystals. 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Types of Liquid Crystals. 5.3 Characteristics of Liquid Crystal Phases. 5.4 Identification of Liquid Crystal Phases. 5.5 Orientational Order. 5.6 Elastic Properties. 5.7 Phase Transitions in Liquid Crystals. 5.8 Applications of Liquid Crystals. Further Reading. Questions. 6. Biological Soft Matter. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Lipid Membranes. 6.3 DNA. 6.4 Proteins. 6.5 Polysaccharides and Glycoproteins. 6.6 Macromolecular Assemblies. Further Reading. Questions. Numerical Solutions to Questions. Index.

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Book SynopsisThe technique of Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering (QENS) is a powerful experimental tool for extracting temporal and spatial information at the nanoscale from both soft and hard condensed matter systems. However, while seemingly simple, the method is beset with sensitivities that, if ill considered, can hinder data interpretation and possibly publication. By highlighting key theoretical and data evaluation aspects of the technique, this specialised ‘primer style’ training resource encourages research success by guiding new researchers through a typical QENS experiment; from planning and sample preparation considerations to data reduction and subsequent analysis. Research examples are referenced throughout to illustrate the concepts addressed, with the book being written in such a way that it remains accessible to chemists, biologists, physicists, and materials scientists.Table of ContentsIf You Read Nothing Else...; What is QUENS?; Which Spectrometer Should I Choose?; Facility Access; The Measurement; Data Reduction; Elastic and Inelastic Fixed Window Scans; S(Q,ω) and I(Q,t); And Finally

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Book SynopsisThe term active fluids refers to motions that are created by transforming energy from the surroundings into directed motion. There are many examples, both natural and synthetic, including individual swimming bacteria or motile cells, drops and bubbles that move owing to surface stresses (so-called Marangoni motions), and chemical- or optical-driven colloids. Investigations into active fluids provide new insights into non-equilibrium systems, have the potential for novel applications, and open new directions in physics, chemistry, biology and engineering. This book provides an expert introduction to active fluids systems, covering simple to complex environments. It explains the interplay of chemical processes and hydrodynamics, including the roles of mechanical and rheological properties across active fluids, with reference to experiments, theory, and simulations. These concepts are discussed for a variety of scenarios, such as the trajectories of microswimmers, cell crawling and fluid stirring, and apply to collective behaviours of dense suspensions and active gels. Emerging avenues of research are highlighted, ranging from the role of active processes for biological functions to programmable active materials, showcasing the exciting potential of this rapidly-evolving research field.Table of ContentsWhat is 'Active Matter'?;Hydrodynamics of Cell Swimming;Active Nematics: Mesoscale Turbulence and Self-propelled Topological Defects;An Introduction to Motility-induced Phase Separation;Active Transport in Complex Environments;The Mitotic Spindle as Active Machinery;Motility and Self-propulsion of Active Droplets;Autonomous Photothermally-driven Fluid Pumping and Particle Transport and Assembly;Rheology of Active Fluids;Computational Physics of Active Matter

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Book SynopsisThis book offers an informal, easy-to-understand account of topics in modern physics and mathematics. The focus is, in particular, on statistical mechanics, soft matter, probability, chaos, complexity, and models, as well as their interplay. The book features 28 key entries and it is carefully structured so as to allow readers to pursue different paths that reflect their interests and priorities, thereby avoiding an excessively systematic presentation that might stifle interest. While the majority of the entries concern specific topics and arguments, some relate to important protagonists of science, highlighting and explaining their contributions. Advanced mathematics is avoided, and formulas are introduced in only a few cases. The book is a user-friendly tool that nevertheless avoids scientific compromise. It is of interest to all who seek a better grasp of the world that surrounds us and of the ideas that have changed our perceptions.Trade Review“Each topic is discussed in a brief chapter, at a technical level that could be followed by first-year students of physics and mathematics, but also by wider parts of the public. Each chapter contains a statement of the topic, a brief history, and describes a number of examples … . The book makes a pleasant reading, full of wit and of surprising turns. I think that it can be useful to the general reader … motivate students … .” (Luca Peliti, Journal of Statistical Physics, Vol. 185, 2021)Table of ContentsChapter 1 - Introduction.- Chapter 2 - Atoms, Irreversibility, Probability, Statistical Mechanics, Entropy.- Chapter 3 - Probability, Entropy, Chaos.- Chapter 4 - Chaos, Prediction.- Chapter 5 - Prediction, Turbulence, Models.- Chapter 6 - Models, Richardson.- Chapter 7 - Boltzmann, Statistical Mechanics, Brownian Motion.- Chapter 8 - Boltzmann, Atoms, Statistical Mechanics, Mesoscale Systems.- Chapter 9 - Prediction: Chaos, Poincaré, Richardson, Models, Big data.- Chapter 10 - Statistical Mechanics: Atoms, Boltzmann, Maxwell.

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