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Jacob Israelachvili
Professor of ChemEng: Chemical Engineering
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Rm. 1200 Bldg.570
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893-8407/8353
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805-893-7870
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Research Areas:
Intermolecular and inter-surface forces in complex fluid systems, development of new experimental techniques for studying dynamic and time-dependent interactions, the frictional forces between moving (e.g., shearing) surfaces, the rheology of thin films,
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Research Description:
Research interests are in the general area of intermolecular and inter-surface forces in complex fluid systems. He uses the Surface Forces Apparatus for directly measuring the forces between surfaces in liquids and vapors, and for studying other interfacial phenomena, providing information at the molecular level not always available by other techniques. His current research is primarily experimental, and involves measurements of the interactions between various surfaces separated by various liquids and liquid mixtures, surfactants and polymers, and the interactions of biomembranes and biological macromolecules. Not only static (i.e., equilibrium) but also dynamic forces are being looked at, such as the micro-viscosity of thin films, molecular relaxation processes at surfaces, friction and lubrication, cavitation and wear. In particular, Professor Israelachvili is currently studying the very short-range (e.g., adhesion) forces between surfaces in controlled vapors and liquids, and the relation between adhesion, friction, and the conformations of molecules trapped between surfaces.
Another area of activity is the development of new experimental techniques, especially for studying dynamic and time-dependent interactions, the frictional forces between moving (e.g., shearing) surfaces, the rheology of thin films, and any resulting surface deformations (including damage and wear). New attachments are also being developed for measuring very weak forces that take a long time to equilibrate, high speed and very fast processes (including transient effects), and opto-electronic and chemical processes at interfaces and thin surface films. New techniques for using different surface materials such as polymers, silica, metal oxide layers, etc., are also in progress.
The aim of these studies is to gain insight into the fundamental interactions in complex colloidal, material and biological systems that also have technological applications, for example, in developing new types of soft structured (bio)materials, adaptable materials, and new complex fluid (e.g., lubricant) systems.
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6832 Ellison Hall, University of California, Santa Barbara 93106-1100 • 893-8231
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page last modified on: 2008-07-02
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