Providing a vital link between chemistry and physics on the nanoscale, this book offers concise coverage of the entire topic in five major sections, beginning with synthesis of microgel particles and continuing with their physical properties. The phase behavior and dynamics of resulting microgel suspensions feature in the third section, followed by their mechanical properties. It concludes with detailed accounts of numerous industrial, commercial and medical applications.Edited by David Weitz, Professor at Harvard and one of the world's pre-eminent experts in the field.

Microgel suspensions consist of colloidal gel particles that are able to swell or de-swell in response to ambient changes, giving rise to flexibility in both shape and volume. The aim is to tailor the resulting suspension structure, dynamics and rheology towards specific applications, ranging from novel sensing and optical effects to the industrial reality of medical and consumer products. Providing a vital link between chemistry and physics on the mesoscale, this first book dedicated entirely to the topic offers concise coverage in five major sections, beginning with synthesis of microgel particles and continuing with their physical properties. The phase behavior and dynamics of resulting microgel suspensions feature in the third section, followed by their mechanical properties. It concludes with detailed accounts of numerous industrial, commercial and medical applications. Edited by a world-renownded panel of experts in the field, this volume provides the essential information for physicists, chemists, materials scientists, engineers, and biologists.

PrefaceSYNTHESISSynthesis of Microgel Particles - Linking Chemistry and PhysicsPolymerization Kinetics of Microgel ParticlesFunctional Microgel ParticlesPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MICROGEL PARTICLESSwelling ThermodynamicsInternal Structure of Microgel ParticlesPHASE BEHAVIOR AND DYNAMICSStatistical Mechanics of Soft ParticlesPacking Soft ObjectsCrystallization of Microgel ParticlesWeakly Attractive Microgel-based Colloidal GelsMicrogel Suspensions as Model Glass Formers - The Role of SoftnessUse of Microgel Particles as Models to Study Crystallization and MeltingMECHANICAL PROPERTIESFlow, Slip and Rheology of Microgel SuspensionsLocal and Macroscopic Mechanics of Hydrogel SuspensionsRheology of Industrially Relevant MicrogelsAPPLICATIONSMicrogels for Lenses, Photonic Crystals and SensorsMicrogels for Drug DeliveryMicrogels for Oil RecoveryMicrogels for CosmeticsThe Role of Microgels in Toothpaste

Providing a vital link between chemistry and physics on the nanoscale, this book offers concise coverage of the entire topic in five major sections, thus providing a close-up view of the interactions between soft particles and the resulting macroscopic behaviors.