Table of Contents

Introduction
PART 1 FUNDAMENTALS
Thermodynamics and kinetics of protein/surfactant mixtures at liquid interfaces
Reinhard Miller, Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung, Germany, Valentin B. Fainerman, Donetsk Medical University, Ukraine
Introduction. Adsorption of proteins at liquid interfaces. Adsorption of protein/surfactant mixtures at liquid interfaces. Dilational elasticity and viscosity of interfacial layers. Summary and outlook. Acknowledgements. References.
Non-Fickian diffusion in systems with complex interfaces
Daniel De Kee, Juan Hinestroza and Quan Liu, Tulane University, USA
Introduction. Factors affecting the mass transport process. Theory and modelling. Conclusion. References.
Semiflexible polymers: from statics to dynamics
Suckjoon Jun and John Bechhöfer, Simon Fraser University, Canada, Bae-Yeun Ha, University of Waterloo, Canada
Introduction. The wormlike chain model: static chain properties. Relaxation of a stiff chain. Looping dynamics. Acknowledgements. Appendix – Reaction-radius-dependence and compact vs. non-compact exploration. References.
Molecular modelling of polymer surfaces and interfaces
Liyan Zhao, Phillip Choi, University of Alberta, Canada
Introduction. Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation. Force fields. Additional techniques. Results and discussion. Conclusion. Acknowledgements. References.
Thermodynamics of contact angles on rough, heterogeneous surfaces
J Long and Pu Chen, University of Waterloo, Canada
Introduction. Theory. Results of regular surface model. Surface classification and surface feature factor. Irregular surface model. Effect of energy barriers on contact angles. Conclusion. Acknowledgements. References. Appendix 1: Derivation of the surface feature factor.
PART 2 CHARACTERISATION, MANIPULATION AND APPLICATIONS
Application of axisymmetric drop shape analysis (ADSA) to the study of biomolecules
Yi Y Zuo and A W Neumann, University of Toronto, Canada
Axisymmetric drop shape analysis (ADSA). Experimental setups. Drop/bubble configurations. Study of pulmonary surfactants. Study of protein-lipid interaction. Study of protein adsorption at the solid surfaces. Conclusion. References.
Surface-energetic properties of polymers in controlled architecture
Karina Grundke, Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Germany
Introduction. Surface tension- estimation and prediction from theoretical approaches. Approaches to estimate surface energetics of polymers from wetting measurements. Measurement and interpretation of contact angles on polymer surfaces in terms of surface energetics. New strategies to determine experimentally the surface tension of polymer melts at elevated temperatures. Structure-property relationships. References.
Scanning probe microscopy – application for the study of soft materials
Andrea L Slade, Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico, Christopher M Yip, University of Toronto, Canada
Introduction. SPM basics. Imaging mechanisms. Applications of scanning probe microscopy: imaging. Applications of scanning probe microscopy: Force spectroscopy. Coupled imaging. Future trends. References.
Self-assembly of peptides and its potential application
S Y Fung, Y Hong, Christine Keyes and Pu Chen, University of Waterloo, Canada
Introduction. Molecular structure and physical properties. Control of nano/macro-structure formation. Control of mechanical properties. Self assembly mechanism and theoretical modeling. Potential applications. Conclusion. Acknowledgments. References.
Physiochemical modulation of immobilised extracellular matrix
Tilo Pompe and Carsten Werner, Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden e.V., Germany
Introduction. Biosurface engineering to fine-tune interfacial parameters of biomaterials. Immobilisation of ECM onto artificial surfaces. Cellular reorganisation of extracellular matrix. Functional characteristics of endothelial cells can be switched by the anchorage of surface-bound extracellular matrix. Conclusion. References.
Triblock copolymers as promoters of solubilization of oils in aqueous surfactant solutions
Peter A Kralchevsky and Nikolai D Denkov, University of Sofia, Bulgaria
Introduction. Experimental methods to study solubilization kinetics. Kinetic mechanisms of solubilization. Micelle transformations upon solubilization. Nonionic surfactants in mixture with triblock copolymers: solubilization kinetics. Ionic surfactants in mixture with triblock copolymers: Solubilization kinetics. Conclusion and future trends. Acknowledgements. References.
Polymeric composite membranes and biomimetic affinity ligands for bioseparation and immunoadsorption
Li Yang, BioVectra TM DCL, Canada and Pu Chen, University of Waterloo, Canada
Introduction. Methods of making composite membrane. Chitosan-cellulose composite membrane. Cellulose and chitosan. Biomimetic affinity ligands, Protein A mimetics. Affinity membrane chromatography. References.
Surface and interfacial studies of plant biopolymers
James D Batteas and Ruth E Stark, National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA
Introduction. Physical/analytical approaches for studying plant surfaces and interfaces. Structural, rheological and NMR investigations of plant cuticles. Conclusion. Acknowledgments. Other resources. References.
Biodegradable polymer microparticles for genetic vaccine delivery
Chun Wang, University of Minnesota, USA
Introduction. Genetic vaccination. Delivery systems based on polymer microparticles. Case study: poly(ortho ester) microparticles. Future trends. Acknowledgements. References.
Polyelectrolyte coupling with lipid monolayers
Gerald Brezesinski and Helmuth Möhwald, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Germany
Introduction. Polymers. Methods. Results and discussion. Acknowledgments. References.
Interfacial properties of amphiphilic dendritic polymers
Gabriel N Njikang and Mario Gauthier, University of Waterloo, Canada
Introduction. Dendritic polymers. Solubilization and encapsulation. Non covalent self-assembly of amphiphilic dendritic polymers. Conclusions. References.
Studying polymeric systems in solution
Jean Duhamel, University of Waterloo, Canada
Introduction. Photophysical properties of pyrene used to characterize polymeric systems. Fluorescence studies of polymeric interfaces using pyrene-labelled polymers. Applications. Conclusions. References.