Molecular Forces and Self Assembly

Barry W. Ninham, a pioneer of modern theory describing molecular forces, interactions, and self assembly, is currently Professor Emeritus of the Department of Applied Mathematics at the Australian National University (ANU). He has been an active researcher for over 40 years, over which time he has authored or co-authored 7 books and more than 400 technical papers. He has received numerous awards, including the Ostwald Award of the German Chemical Society (2005) and the SIS Nestle-Mittal Award (2004), and, in 2008, ANU created the Barry Ninham Chair of Natural Sciences Award to recognize his contributions. Pierandrea Lo Nostro is a Research Fellow in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Florence, from where he received his Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences in 1992. His current research interests include macromolecular self-assembly (polypseudorotaxanes), self-assembly of biocompatible surfactants, and specific ion effects (Hofmeister series).

• Part I. Molecular Forces: 1. Reasons for the enquiry; 2. Different approaches to, and different kinds of molecular forces; 3. Electrostatic forces in electrolytes in outline; 4. The balance of forces; 5. Quantum mechanical forces in condensed media; 6. The extension of the Lifshitz theory to include electrolytes and Hofmeister effects; 7. Specific ion effects; 8. Effects of dissolved gas and other solutes on hydrophobic interactions; Part II. Self Assembly: 9. Self assembly: overview; 10. Self assembly in theory and practice; 11. Bicontinuous phases and other structures: forces at work in biological systems; 12. Emulsions and microemulsions; 13. Forces at work: a miscellany of issues.

'Full of wisdom gained from a wealth of experience. … a good deal of charm weaves its way through the fabric of the presentation.' Gerald Pollack, Bioengineering, University of Washington