Nanostructured Soft Materials 1

This module gives an introduction into Nanostructured Soft Materials:

• Types and definitions of soft condensed materials, overview on applications of soft materials
• colloids:  role of intermolecular, interparticle and surface interactions, applications in food and cosmetic industry
• polymers: polymer mixtures, phase separation processes, block copolymers and self-assembly process, application in templates
• structured surfaces: biomimetic dry adhesives, superhydrophobicity and application in self-cleaning surfaces
• liquid crystals (LC): rod/disc like LC phases, degree of order and symmetry, optical properties and application in display devices
• amphiphiles: types and properties, micelles, bilayers and vesicles, applications as surfactants and drug delivery
• biopolymers: nucleic acids, DNA, proteins, cellulose, wood-derived materials

After participation in the module the students are able to: 

• understand different areas of application of nanostructured soft materials
• apply colloid theory in understanding the use of colloids in daily life applications from cosmetic and food area 
• evaluate the use of polymers based on self-assembly processes in numerous applications 
• apply the bio-inspired materials approach in nanostructured soft materials
• analyze the importance of order in liquid crystals for displays and sensors
• evaluate the importance of hydrophobic interactions on micelle and vesicle formation and the use of surfactants

No preconditions in addition to the requirements for the Master’s program in Physics.

The lecture consists of a lecture and an exercise class. The contents of the lectures will be given by presentation with the beamer and discussion with board work. The exercise class will consist of group work where the students solve problems under the guidance of a supervizor. Consultation hours are an optional additional offer for clarification of further questions on the lecture contents in individual talks with the lecturer.

Presentation, board work. Exercises will be made available one week before each class via accompanying internet site.

• Hamley, I.W. Introduction to Soft Matter (Wiley) Chichester, 2000
• Jones, R.A.L. Soft Condensed Matter (OUP) Oxford, 2002
• Kleman, M. & Lavrentovich, O.D. Soft Matter Physics (Springer) Berlin, 2003
• Daoud, M. & Williams, C.E. Soft Matter Physics (Springer) Berlin, 1999

There will be an oral exam of 30 minutes duration. Therein the achievement of the competencies given in section learning outcome is tested exemplarily at least to the given cognition level using comprehension questions and examples.

For example an assignment in the exam might be:

• Describe the basic structure of amphiphilic molecules
• Evaluate the type of aggregation of amphiphilic molecules based on its structure with words, equations, drawings and diagram
• Describe the application of surfactants and the meaning of the critical micelle concentration
• Explain the concept of drug delivery with spherical micel

In the exam no learning aids are permitted.

Participation in the exercise classes is strongly recommended since the exercises prepare for the problems of the exam and rehearse the specific competencies.