Mesoscopic Physics of Complex Materials [Paperback]

A cross-disciplinary study of the physical properties of complex fluids, solids, and interfaces as a function of their mesoscopic structures, with empasis on nonequilibrium phenomena. The book introduces readers to the methods of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics as applied to complex materials, but always connects theories with experiments. It shows the underlying connections between topics as diverse as critical phenomena in colloidal dynamics, glassy state relaxation and deformation, reinforced polymer composites, molecular level mixing in nanocomposites, and rough surfaces and interfaces. At the same time, each chapter is designed to be independent from the others so that the book can serve as a reference work as well as a text. It is not designed to review all the recent work in mesoscopic physics, which spans many disciplines, but rather attempts to establish a general framework for understanding and developing new materials that can not be designed by the trial and error methods. A familiarity with the basics of statistical mechanics and condensed matter physics is assumed.This book is intended to provide a cross-disciplinary study of the physical prop? erties of complex fluids, solids, and interfaces as a function of their mesoscopic structures. Because of the disorder and dissipate nature of these structures, em? phasis is placed on nonequilibrium phenomena. These phenomena are the active research areas of soft condensed matter, and it is impossible to cover them all in one book. Therefore, we have limited the scope by selecting a variety of important current systems that (l) present high values to both science and technology on the basis of my own preference and expertise and (2) have not been put together coherently in the form of a book. We then show the underlying connections and parallels between topics as diverse as critical phenomena in colloidal dynamics, glass state relaxation and deformation, reinforced polymer composites, molecular level mixilc%