Molecular Forces and Self Assembly In Colloid, Nano Sciences and Biology

Challenging the cherished notions of colloidal theory, Barry Ninham and Pierandrea Lo Nostro confront the scientific lore of molecular forces and colloidal science in an incisive and thought-provoking manner. The authors explain the development of these classical theories, discussing amongst other topics electrostatic forces in electrolytes, specific ion effects and hydrophobic interactions. Throughout the book they question assumptions, unearth flaws and present new results and ideas. From such analysis, a qualitative and predictive framework for the field emerges; the impact of this is discussed in the latter half of the book through force behaviour in self assembly. Here, numerous diverse phenomena are explained, from surfactants to biological applications, all richly illustrated with pertinent, intellectually stimulating examples. With mathematics kept to a minimum, and historic facts and anecdotes woven through the text, this is a highly engaging and readable treatment for students and researchers in science and engineering.

Part I. Molecular Forces: 1. Reasons for the enquiry; 2. Different approaches to, and different kinds of molecular forces; 3. Electrostatic forces in electrolytes in outline; 4. The balance of forces; 5. Quantum mechanical forces in condensed media; 6. The extension of the Lifshitz theory to include electrolytes and Hofmeister effects; 7. Specific ion effects; 8. Effects of dissolved gas and other solutes on hydrophobic interactions; Part II. Self Assembly: 9. Self assembly: overview; 10. Self assembly in theory and practice; 11. Bicontinuous phases and other structures: forces at work in biological systems; 12. Emulsions and microemulsions; 13. Forces at work: a miscellany of issues.

Challenging the cherished notions of colloidal theory, the authors explain the development of these classical theories, questioning assumptions, unearthing flaws and presenting new results and ideas throughout. Numerous, diverse phenomena are explained, from surfactants to biological applications, all richly illustrated with examples.

Barry W. Ninham, a pioneer of modern theory describing molecular forces, interactions, and self assembly, is currently Professor Emeritus of the Department of Applied Mathematics at the Australian National University (ANU). He has been an active researcher for over 40 years, over which time he has authored or co-authored 7 books and more than 400 technical papers. He has received numerous awards, including the Ostwald Award of the German Chemical Society (2005) and the SIS Nestle-Mittal Award (2004), and, in 2008, ANU created the Barry Ninham Chair of Natural Sciences Award to recognize his contributions.
Pierandrea Lo Nostro is a Research Fellow in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Florence, from where he received his Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences in 1992. His current research interests include macromolecular self-assembly (polypseudorotaxanes), self-assembly of biocompatible surfactants, and specific ion effects (Hofmeister series).