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 Contents:
Introduction Learning Objectives What Is Soft Matter? Basic Thermal Physics Intermolecular Forces Diffusion and Random Walks Self-Assembly The Phase Diagram Aggregation and Assembly Mechanical Properties of Soft Matter Questions: The Concept of Soft Materials and Their Characteristics Review of Thermal Physics Review the Mechanical Properties of Materials References Further Reading Liquid Crystals Learning Objectives Introduction to Liquid Crystals Anisotropy in Liquid Crystals The Order Parameter Thermotropic and Lyotropic Liquid Crystals Birefringence in Liquid Crystals Defect Textures Thermotropic Liquid Crystal Phases Experimental Techniques Applications of Liquid Crystals Questions The Characteristics of Liquid Crystal Materials Anisotropy and Birefringence The Structure of Liquid Crystal Phases Experimental Techniques and Liquid Crystal Technologies References Further Reading Surfactants Learning Objectives Introduction Types of Surfactants Surface Tension and Surfactants Self-Assembly and Phase Behavior Membrane Elasticity and Curvature Applications of Surfactants Experimental Methods Questions Physical and Chemical Properties of Surfactants The Hydrophobic Effect The Importance of Molecular Shape on Phase Structure and Membrane Curvature Applications and Experiments References Further Reading Polymers Learning Objectives Introduction Early Polymers Polymer Structure Liquid Crystal Polymers Polymer Solutions The Glassy and Polymer Melt Phases The Mechanical Properties of Polymers Experimental Techniques Questions Polymer Architecture Polymers in Solution Experimental Methods References Further Reading Colloidal Materials Learning Objectives Introduction Characteristics of Colloidal Systems Colloids in Suspension Competing Forces in Colloidal Dispersions Interparticle Interactions Colloidal Aggregation Colloidal Crystals Granular Materials Foams Experimental Techniques Questions Characteristics of Colloidal Systems Colloidal Aggregation and Dispersion Experimental Techniques References Further Reading Soft Biological Materials Learning Objectives Introduction The Composition of the Cell The Cell Membrane Protein Structures and Assemblies Experimental Techniques Questions Biomaterials as Soft Matter Experimental Techniques References Further Reading Glossary Appendix A: The Fourier Transform Appendix B: Physical Constants and Conversions Appendix C: Laue Scattering Theory Appendix D: Entropy and Thermodynamic Equilibrium Appendix E: The Amino Acids Index