Soft Matter Physics

Description

Soft matter (polymers, colloids, surfactants, liquid crystals) are an important class of materials for modern and future technologies. They are complex materials that behave neither like a fluid nor a solid. This book describes the characteristics of such materials and how we can understand such characteristics in the language of physics.

• Solutions manual available on request from the OUP website
• First coherent graduate text on soft matter physics
• Unique features of soft matter are discussed starting from general principles of physics: what are their characteristics, and where do they come from
• Phenomena we see in everyday life are discussed: examples are blowing of a rubber balloon, dewetting of liquid droplets, squeezing of gels, and unusual flow of polymer solutions
• Simple and clear style of presentation, while mathematical rigour is maintained
• Contains problem sets at chapter ends to stimulate students' intellectual challenges

About the Author(s)

Masao Doi, Department of Applied Physics, University of Tokyo

Masao Doi graduated from the Department of Applied Physics of University of Tokyo in 1970. In 1976 he received his Doctoral Degree in Engineering at the University of Tokyo and began his academic career as an Assistant Professor of Physics at the Tokyo Metropolitan University. He moved to Nagoya University in 1989 and to Tokyo University in 2004. He retired from Tokyo University in 2012, and is now working as a fellow of Toyota Physical and Chemical Research Institute. His early research was concerned with the dynamics and rheology of flexible polymers, especially with developing a theoretical description of the role of molecular entanglements for determining the transport properties to flexible polymer solutions and melts. He then worked on various aspects of the rheological properties of soft matter, polymers, liquid crystals, colloidal suspensions and gels. His current research is focused on the surface phenomena of polymers, such as adhesion, friction, and drying.

Table of Contents

1:What is soft matter
2:Soft matter solutions
3:Elastic soft matter
4:Surfaces and surfactants
5:Liquid crystals
6:Brownian motion and thermal fluctuations
7:Variational principle in soft matter dynamics
8:Diffusion and permeation in soft matter
9:Flow and deformation of soft matter
10:Ionic soft matter
Appendix A: Continuum mechanics
Appendix B: Restricted free energy
Appendix C: Variational calculus
Appendix D: Reciprocal relation
Appendix E: Statistical mechanics for material response and fluctuations
Appendix F: Derivation of the Smoluchowskii equation from the Langevin equation

Reviews

"A very comprehensive introduction and overview of the field of Soft Matter Science very well suited as a textbook for graduate students" - Patrick Ilg, Applied Rheology

"All the important concepts of soft matter physics are introduced and well described and discussed. [] Doi's Soft Matter Physics is a book worthwhile to have at hand on your bookshelf, if you are interested in the broader aspects of soft matter, not just liquid crystals." - Liquid Crystals Today,

Additional Resources

A solutions manual is available for this title. Please click here to order your copy