Introduction to Soft Matter Physics

Soft matters differ from hard ones essentially due to former's relatively weak interaction which is comparable to kBTrm (Trm = room temperature) — this results in the major characteristics of soft matters such as 'strong reactions upon weak actions'.

Developed over a period of 10 years through soft matter physics lectures for both graduate and undergraduate students in Fudan University, this textbook not only concentrates on the basic interactions inside soft matters through a reductionist approach, but also introduces the exploratory works on the complexity of soft matters in methods of system science.

Other important topics in soft matter physics which are included involve static and dynamic electrorheological (ER) effects — an important 'model animal' in the subject, granular media — which explains the thermodynamics of sands and its dynamics, and the Onsager principle of least energy dissipation rate which has been adapted in this textbook to see how it governs the optimal paths of a system's deviation from and restoration to equilibrium.

The subject of soft matter physics is still in its infancy, making it highly exciting and attractive. If you like a challenging subject, you will most certainly fall in love with soft matter physics at first read!
Contents:Characteristics of Soft MattersBasic Interactions in Soft MattersStructures Determination of Soft MattersComplexity of Soft MattersStatic Electrorheological EffectDynamic of Electrorheological EffectsGranular Systems
Readership: Students at the undergraduate to graduate level who are interested in the study of soft matter physics. Soft Matter Physics;Interaction of Soft Matter;Electrorheological Effect;Complex Fluid;Non-Newtonian Fluids;Granular Systems;Suspension;Colloid;Magnetorheological Fluid;Neutron Scattering;Neutron Diffraction;Structure of Soft Matter;Complexity of Soft Matter0Key Features:Concentrates on physics mechanisms with detailed explanations of interesting applications of soft matters, such as liquid body armors, electrorheolofical effect, earthquake, sand soilization which will surely stimulate serious discussions among studentsDiscusses the neutron diffraction in studying the structures of soft mattersExpounds the complexity of soft matters, guiding students to view "complex" behaviors of soft matters in a simpler way