Colloid and Surface Science Laboratories

Directors: Paschalis Alexandridis, Eli Ruckenstein

Colloids (systems containing particles of nanometer to micron length scale) include polymer solutions, micelles and microemulsions (so-called association colloids), emulsions, and other dispersions of solids. Important attributes of the colloids are their size and size distribution, as well as their interactions with the solvent. At the Colloid and Surface Science Laboratories, a state-of-the-art static and dynamic laser light scattering facility is providing such information; viscometry and fluorescence spectrophotometry techniques are also used in the study of colloidal solutions. Surface tension and contact angle measurements are carried out for the characterization of interfaces and surfaces, respectively. Extensive surface spectroscopy and microscopy characterization facilities are available on campus.