Soft Condensed Matter

The physics of soft condensed matter is probably one of the most 'fashionable' areas in the physical sciences today. This book offers a coherent and clear introduction to the properties and behaviour of soft matter. It begins with a treatment of the general underlying principles: the relation of the structure and dynamics of solids and liquids to intermolecular forces, the thermodynamics and kinetics of phase transitions, and the principles of self-assembly. Then the specific properties of colloids, polymers, liquid crystals and self-assembling amphiphilic systems are treated within this framework. A concluding chapter illustrates how principles of soft matter physics can be used to understand properties of biological systems. The focus on the essentials and the straightforward approach make the book suitable for students with either a theoretical or an experimental bias. The level is appropriate for final year undergraduates and beginning graduate students in physics, chemistry, materials science, and chemical engineering.

Prof. Richard A.L. Jones, University of Sheffield, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield S3 7RH, Tel.: 0114/2224530, Fax: 0114/2728079, Email: r.a.l.jones@sheffield.ac.uk

... it will be an asset to my reference bookshelf. Contemporary Physics ... well structured ... The author is a highly able physicist and this high level of understanding of the basis of the subject matter is reflected in the clear explanations given in turn to each section of this subject area. Contemporary Physics ... an excellent introduction to the topic ... suitable for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students of physics, chemistry, materials science and chemical engineering. Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie I found myself reading it from cover to cover. The equations were explained, the modifications to the theories that brought them into line with real life were outlined, and there wasn't even all that much maths that I could skip. Maybe the physics has moved on or maybe Richard Jones has simply presented it more clearly and relevantly. Chemistry in Britain