Main Page
Applied Physics 225 : Introduction to Soft Matter.
Catalog Number: 5298
Ian D. Morrison
Half course (fall term). M., W., 2:30–4. EXAM GROUP: 7, 8
Maxwell Dworkin G135
Introduction to soft condensed matter, or “complex fluids,” including polymers, surfactants, emulsions, foams, and biological structures. Emphasis is on physical principles that govern bulk behavior. Students will understand the concepts, experimental techniques, and open questions. Prerequisite: Knowledge of thermodynamics and basic statistical mechanics and some familiarity with phase diagrams and differential equations.
Applied Physics 226 : Introduction to Soft Matter - Capillarity and Wetting
Harvard College/GSAS: 5796 Spring 2008-2009
Ian D. Morrison
Meeting times: M., W., 2:30-4 and (tentatively) 4:00-5:30
Maxwell Dworkin 319
This introductory course considers phenomena strongly influenced by surface tensions, high curvatures, thin films, diffusion, adsorption, or wetting, which are variously mobile, dynamic, polymeric, transient, or fragile. Emphasis is on the physics, thermodynamics, rheological and scaling laws that govern bulk behavior.
Contents
Texts
- Textbooks for AP225 are:
- Soft condensed matter by R.A.L. Jones; Oxford University Press: New York; 2002
- Structured fluids: Polymers, colloids, surfactants by T. A. Witten (with P. A. Pincus); Oxford University Press: New York; 2004
- Textbooks for AP226 are:
- Capillarity and wetting phenomena by P.-G. de Gennes, F. Brochard-Wyatt and D. Quéré.
- Theory of stability of colloids and thin films by B.V. Derjaguin.
Office Hours
Ian Morrison-- Pierce 402
Mondays: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Wednesdays: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
SEAS Faculty - Selected publications
Weekly wiki entries for AP225
| Schedule | Topic |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | General Introduction |
| Week 2 | Surface Forces |
| Weeks 3-4 | Capillarity and wetting |
| Weeks 5-6 | Polymers and polymer solutions |
| Week 7 | Surfactants |
| Week 8 | Phases and Phase Diagrams |
| Week 9 | Charged interfaces |
| Week 10 | Thin "soft" films and colloidal stability |
| Week 11 | Viscosity, elasticity, and viscoelasticity |
| Week 12 | Emulsions and foams |
| Week 13 | Soft matter - Course review |
Final Wiki Entries for AP225
Weekly Wiki Entries for AP226
| Tom Alimsijah | Sung Hoon Kang | Tony Orth |
| Donald Aubrecht | Tom Kodger | Naveen Sinha |
| Alexander Epstein | Sorell Massenburg | Scott Tsai |
| Nefeli Georgoulia | Lidiya Mishchenko | Zach Wissner-Gross |
Stubs - Questions/Information to be entered
What is surface modification by oxygen plasma?
What is surface modification by silanes?
What is the surface chemistry of silica?
Why do silanols attract water?
How does the meniscus look around an elliptical x-section fiber dipped in liquid?
