New Approaches To Problems In Liquid State Theory: Inhomogeneities And Phase Separation In Simple, Complex And Quantum Fluids (nato Science Series C:)

The theory of simple and complex fluids has made considerable recent progress, due to the emergence of new concepts and theoretical tools, and also to the availability of a large body of new experimental data on increas­ ingly complex systems, as well as far-reaching methodological developments in numerical simulations. This AS! aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of the most significant theoretical developments, supplemented by a few presentations of cutting-edge simulation and experimental work. The impact of the Institute in the overall landscape of Statistical Mechanics received an important recognition with its inclusion in the list of satellite events of STATPHYS20, the triennal international conference on Statistical Physics held in Paris in July 1998. These Proceedings contain the texts of the 13 Lecture Courses and 9 Invited Seminars delivered at Patti. Two clear trends emerge from these Proceedings: first, the diversity of new and unexpected theoretical results relating to classic models of liq­ uids, which have recently been subjected to fresh scrutiny; and secondly the parallel emergence of new concepts, models and methods, aimed at investigating complex fluids and phenomena, like the phase behaviour of fluids in pores, macromolecular assemblies, and the glass transition. Many of the new tools have their roots in traditional liquid state theory, and, in conjunction with fresh input from related fields, allow it wider applicability. Front Matter....Pages i-xix Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Understanding Criticality: Simple Fluids and Ionic Fluids ....Pages 3-8 Equation of State and Critical Behavior of Simple Fluid Models....Pages 9-29 Phase Separation and Critical Phenomena in Simple Fluids and in Binary Mixtures....Pages 31-46 Critical Behaviour of the Restricted Primitive Model (RPM)....Pages 47-59 Phase Diagram of Dipolar Hard-Core Molecule Systems....Pages 61-70 New Results on Some Ionic-Fluid Problems....Pages 71-89 Fluids with Internal Degrees of Freedom....Pages 91-105 Replica and Glasses....Pages 107-138 Nematic to Smectic: A “Hard” Transition....Pages 139-150 Front Matter....Pages 151-151 Fluids in Model Pores or Cavities: The Influence of Confinement on Structure and Phase Behaviour....Pages 153-172 Bulk and Surface Properties of Dipolar Fluids....Pages 173-196 Fluids in Contact with Structured Substrates....Pages 197-244 Liquid State Methods for Disordered Systems....Pages 245-278 Inhomogeneous Fluids in an External Field....Pages 279-291 Free Energy Density Functional from 0D Cavities....Pages 293-302 Geometrically Based Free Energy Functional for Confined Hard Spheres and the Density Functional Theory for Simple Classical Systems....Pages 303-320 Charge-Stabilized Colloids Confined to a Slit: A Case for Attraction Between Like Charged Particles....Pages 321-336 Wetting Phase Transitions and Petroleum Reservoirs....Pages 337-344 Front Matter....Pages 345-345 Atomistic Computer Simulation Studies of Surfactant Systems....Pages 347-358 On Effective Interactions in Colloidal Physics....Pages 359-378 Front Matter....Pages 345-345 Theory and Simulations of Polymers at Surfaces....Pages 379-392 Static Structure and Chain Conformations in Polyelectrolyte Solutions....Pages 393-405 Theories of Hydrophobic Effects and the Description of Free Volume in Complex Liquids....Pages 407-420 Theoretical and Simulation Study of Model Protein Solutions....Pages 421-436 Front Matter....Pages 437-437 AB Initio Liquids: Simulating Liquids Based on First Principles....Pages 439-457 Progress in the Theory of Inhomogeneous 4 He....Pages 459-479 Tight-Binding Lattice-Gas Model: Alkali Fluids....Pages 481-490 Current-Density Functional Theory of Time-Dependent Linear Response in Quantal Fluids: Recent Progress....Pages 491-502 Back Matter....Pages 503-521

the Theory Of Simple And Complex Fluids Has Made Considerable Recent Progress Due To The Emergence Of New Concepts And Theoretical Tools, The Availability Of A Large Body Of New Experimental Data On Increasingly Complex Systems, And Far-reaching Developments In Numerical Simulation. Two Clear Trends Emerge From The Present Book: First, The Diversity Of New And Unexpected Theoretical Results Relating To Classical Models Of Liquids; And Secondly, The Parallel Emergence Of New Concepts, Models And Methods For The Investigation Of Complex Fluids And Phenomena. The Book Lays Stress On A Tutorial Presentation Of The Main Topics, Including Liquid Structure, Metastability And Phase Transitions, Confined Fluids And Interfaces, Complex Fluids And Quantum Fluids.
Audience: Physicists, Physical Chemists, Materials Scientists And Engineers Who Require An Up-to-date Account Of Recent Progress In A Rapidly Growing, Interdisciplinary Area. Graduate Students Who Need And Introduction To The Novel Concepts And Methods In The Field.

Critical behavior is thoroughly understood in Ising models alias lattice gases: But how far does that help our insight into the critical region of continuum models and real fluids? Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute, Patti Marina (Messina), italy, July 7-17, 1998