Course responsible: Andra Dedinaite
Phone: 08-790 9905 or 0768-640039
Examination: Written answers to tasks provided during the course.
We recommend that the students are given 8 ECTS for the course, even though the decision ultimately lies with the student’s examiner.

To register contact Ann Jakobsson. The deadline for registration is September 1, 2009. The total number of participants is limited to about 30. If the course turns very popular, priority will be given to students that are enrolled in Chalmers Soft Matter Graduate School.

The purpose of the course is to provide understanding of intermolecular and surface forces. It will partly follow the book “Intermolecular and Surface Forces” by Jacob Israelachvili, but also include extensions into new aspects of molecular and surface interactions not covered by that book. The course is divided into three main themes:

•    Intermolecular forces
•    Surface forces
•    Friction forces

The theme of intermolecular forces will describe some important and classical concepts as well as recent developments in understanding of more complex interactions. Topics include:
•    Regular solution theory
•    Electrostatic self-energy
•    Dipolar interactions
•    Van der Waals forces
•    Hydrophobic interactions
•    Hydrogen bonding
•    Specific interactions
•    Dynamic force spectroscopy

The theme of surface forces will focus on classical DLVO theory as well as on forces between surfaces coated with macromolecules. A brief introduction to force measuring techniques will also be provided. Topics include:
•    The electrical double-layer and double-layer forces
•    Van der Waals forces
•    Steric interactions
•    Forces between adsorbed surfactant layers
•    Forces between adsorbed polyelectrolyte layers
•    Structural forces
•    Long-range attractive forces between non-polar surfaces in water
•    Capillary forces

The theme of friction forces will focus on introducing the concept of friction and its relation to energy dissipation. The molecular mechanisms that result in energy dissipation, and thus friction will be in focus. Topics include:
•    Introduction to friction forces
•    Friction between hard surfaces
•    Friction between polymer coated surfaces