Soft Condensed Matter: Configurations, Dynamics and Functionality
Subtitle: Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute on Soft Condensed Matter: Configurations, Dynamics and Functionality Geilo, Norway April 6-16, 1999
By: edited by A.T. Skjeltorp, S.F. Edwards
Contributors: Edwards, S. F.
Series: NATO Science Series, Series C: Mathematical and Physical Sciences, 1389-2185 -- 552; NATO science series -- 552.
Publisher: Springer Netherlands; Imprint; Springer
Published: 2000
Place of publication: Dordrecht
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] :
Number of pages: 308
ISBN-13: 9789401141895
Other titles: Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute on Soft Condensed Matter: Configurations, Dynamics and Functionality, Geilo, Norway, April 6-16, 1999
Description: The term 'soft condensed matter' encompasses a wide range of substances which are neither ordinary solids nor ordinary liquids. They do have vestigial liquid and solid properties, but their character is much more complex and subtle. Systems range from foams and complex fluids to granular materials and biomaterials (proteins, DNA, membranes). The structural states they adopt are driven by subtle competition between intermolecular interaction energies and entropic forces, both of which are often close to thermal energies at room temperature. Configurations and their dynamic evolution are significant determinants of a wide variety of mesoscopic and microscopic properties. <br/> The book reviews both the language needed to discuss such systems, as well as basic questions about such phenomena as competing ground states, nonlinear feedback, and slow dynamics. The approach is pedagogical and tutorial, while the work presented is fully up to date. The level is appropriate to graduate researchers, either moving into the field or already active in it.