Research Initiation: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics of Fluid Interfaces

这是一门使用热力学和统计力学方法研究平衡状态下流体混合物界面性质的课程，重点研究化学工程过程中重要的那些方面。在第一部分中，采用解析和数值方法确定了分子间力的范围对表面张力性质的影响。其次，通过临界区域的外推，开发了一种确定流体混合物中表面张力作为温度函数的行为的方法，在这个关键区域，最近已经有了很多详细的信息。最后，研究了表面活性剂膜在油水混合物中的结构和黏结力。分析、数值和可能的视频显微技术被用来研究最后一个问题。

This is a study of the properties of the interfaces in fluid mixtures at equilibrium, using the methods of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, with emphasis on those aspects which are important in chemical engineering processes. In a first part, analytical and numerical methods are used to determine the effects of the range of the intermolecular forces on the properties of surface tension. Next, a method of determining the behavior of surface tension in fluid mixtures is developed as a function of temperature, by extrapolation from the critical region, in which so much detailed information has recently become available. Finally, the structure and cohesion of surfactant films occuring in such mixtures as oil and water are studied. Analytical, numerical and possibly, videomicroscopic techniques are used to study this last problem.