Fundamentals of Soft Matter Science

by Linda S. Hirst

Overview

This revised edition continues to provide the most approachable introduction to the structure, characteristics, and everyday applications of soft matter. It begins with a substantially revised overview of the underlying physics and chemistry common to soft materials. Subsequent chapters comprehensively address the different classes of soft materials, from liquid crystals to surfactants, polymers, colloids, and biomaterials, with vivid, full-color illustrations throughout. There are new worked examples throughout, new problems, some deeper mathematical treatment, and new sections on key topics such as diffusion, active matter, liquid crystal defects, surfactant phases and more.

• Introduces the science of soft materials, experimental methods used in their study, and wide-ranging applications in everyday life.

• Provides brand new worked examples throughout, in addition to expanded chapter problem sets and an updated glossary.

• Includes expanded mathematical content and substantially revised introductory chapters.

This book will provide a comprehensive introductory resource to both undergraduate and graduate students discovering soft materials for the first time and is aimed at students with an introductory college background in physics, chemistry or materials science.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138724440
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/06/2019
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Linda Hirst is Professor of Physics at the University of California, Merced where she has been a faculty member since 2008 after spending three years on the faculty in the Physics Department at Florida State University. Born in Liverpool in the UK, she obtained her BSc and PhD in Physics from the University of Manchester and spent time as a postdoctoral researcher in the Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Professor Hirst's research interests cover a variety of topics in soft-condensed matter physics, with particular interests in soft biomaterials and liquid crystals. She has a strong interest in promoting study of soft matter and its importance to students, scientists and the public.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction. 2. Self-assembly and Structure in Soft Matter. 3. Liquid Crystals. 4. Surfactants. 5. Polymers. 6. Colloidial Materials. 7. Soft Biological Materials.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

A nicely structured book that is at the right level for undergraduates. I’ll recommend it for our soft matter course and to others.
—Professor Helen F. Gleeson, University of Manchester

Broader in coverage than existing texts … a very good introduction to the field of soft matter.
—Professor Gary Bryant, RMIT University, Melbourne

Editorial Reviews

"Hirst (Univ. of California, Merced) here provides a detailed and current overview of soft matter science, covering introductory theoretical concepts and a wide range of examples, from liquid crystals and emulsion structures to polymer, colloid, or cell membrane and other protein structures. The volume is a true "teaching" textbook: each chapter begins with a brief description of the learning objectives, provides worked-out examples in the text, and ends with a set of questions as well as suggestions for further reading. The text is well written, well organized, and produced to a high standard of quality. All basic concepts are described in at least some detail. Frequently the author even provides a brief introduction to characterization techniques used in specific areas, ensuring that the reader will gain understanding and a more complete grasp of the overall subject matter. A glossary of terms and various other appendixes complete the book. Each chapter provides its own reference section, while the common index of keywords at the back of the book allows the reader to quickly locate information about a specific topic throughout. Advanced undergraduates will benefit from reading this, as will professionals and practitioners in the field."
-H. Giesche, Alfred University, in CHOICE, November 2020

From the Publisher