Eli Ruckenstein

Wetting Experiments contains experimental wetting studies related to biological problems, polymers, and catalysts. An understanding of wetting is important for numerous practical applications, such as preparing self-cleaning surfaces, manufacturing artificial blood vessels, and developing new lubricants and nonadhesive dishes. As part of Wetting: Theory and Experiments, Two-Volume Set, thisvolume provides new insights into wetting experiments and fills a need not addressed by other books. Biology-related studies are devoted to the problem synthetic materials selection for use in biological media. Polymers are examined to estimate various surface characteristics, such as the ability of polymeric solids to alter their surface structures between different environments to minimize their interfacial free energy.Aimed at engineers, physical scientists, and materials scientists, this volume addresses the key areas of wetting, providing insights valuable to the field.

Wetting Theory discusses the numerous practical applications of wetting, such as preparing self-cleaning surfaces, manufacturing artificial blood vessels, and developing new lubricants and nonadhesive dishes. As part of Wetting: Theory and Experiments, Two-Volume Set, thisvolume provides new, critical insights into the theory of wetting. Chapters are arranged to allow readers to follow the development of a suggested approach (static and dynamic properties of wetting) and how these tools are applied to specific problems. Main attention is given to nanoscale wetting (nanodrops on solid surfaces, liquid in the nanoslit) on the basis of microscopic density functional theory and fluid dynamics on solid surfaces on the basis of hydrodynamic equations.Aimed at engineers, physical scientists, and materials scientists, this volume addresses the key areas of wetting, providing invaluable insights to the field.

Wetting: Theory and Experiments collates papers published by Professor Eli Ruckenstein and his coworkers on the theoretical and experimental investigation of wetting of solid surfaces. It contains six chapters, each of which is preceded by a short introduction. The papers are selected according to the specific features being considered and they are arranged in logical rather than chronological order. The book focuses on wetting on the nanoscale (nanodrops on solid surfaces, liquid in the nanoslit) considered on the basis of microscopic density functional theory and to dynamics of fluid on the solid surface considered on the basis of hydrodynamic equations. Along with this, experimental studies of wetting related to various applications are presented.

Explore a Kinetic Approach to the Description of Nucleation – An Alternative to the Classical Nucleation TheoryKinetic Theory of Nucleation presents an alternative to the classical theory of nucleation in gases and liquids—the kinetic nucleation theory of Ruckenstein–Narsimhan–Nowakowski (RNNT). RNNT uses the kinetic theory of fluids to calculate the rate of evaporation of molecules from clusters, and unlike the classical nucleation theory (CNT), does not require macroscopic thermodynamics or the detailed balance principle. The book compares the rates of evaporation of molecules from—and condensation on—the surface of a nucleus of a new phase, and explains how this alternate approach can provide much higher nucleation rates than the CNT. It applies RNNT to various case studies that include the liquid-to-solid and vapor-to-liquid phase transitions, binary nucleation, heterogeneous nucleation, nucleation on soluble particles and protein folding. It also describes the system, introduces the basic equations of the kinetic theory, and defines a new model for the nucleation mechanism of protein folding.Adaptable to coursework as well as self-study, this insightful book: Uses a kinetic approach to calculate the rate of growth and decay of a clusterIncludes description of vapor-to-liquid and liquid-to-solid nucleation Outlines the application of density-functional theory (DFT) methods to nucleationProposes the combination of the new kinetic theory of nucleation with the DFT methodsIllustrates the new theory with numerical calculationsDescribes the model for the nucleation mechanism of protein folding, and more A comprehensive guide dedicated to the kinetic theory of nucleation and cluster growth, Kinetic Theory of Nucleation emphasizes the basic concepts of the kinetic nucleation theory, incorporates findings developed from years of research and experience, and is written by highly-regarded experts.

Nanomaterial science has received increasing attention over the last twenty years. As more and more applications are discovered in medical sciences, physics, chemistry, polymer science, material science and engineering, there is a growing need for a basic understanding of nanoparticle interactions and their role in the thermodynamic and kinetic stability of nanodispersions. "Nanodispersions: Interactions, Stability and Dynamics" collects research in nanodispersion interactions and stability by the distinguished Eli Ruckenstein and his research group at SUNY-Buffalo. This book provides valuable insight into current investigations of nanotechnology.

This book consists of a number of papers regarding the thermodynamics and structure of multicomponent systems that we have published during the last decade. Even though they involve different topics and different systems, they have something in common which can be considered as the “signature” of the present book. First, these papers are concerned with “difficult” or very nonideal systems, i. e. systems with very strong interactions (e. g. , hyd- gen bonding) between components or systems with large differences in the partial molar v- umes of the components (e. g. , the aqueous solutions of proteins), or systems that are far from “normal” conditions (e. g. , critical or near-critical mixtures). Second, the conventional th- modynamic methods are not sufficient for the accurate treatment of these mixtures. Last but not least, these systems are of interest for the pharmaceutical, biomedical, and related ind- tries. In order to meet the thermodynamic challenges involved in these complex mixtures, we employed a variety of traditional methods but also new methods, such as the fluctuation t- ory of Kirkwood and Buff and ab initio quantum mechanical techniques. The Kirkwood-Buff (KB) theory is a rigorous formalism which is free of any of the - proximations usually used in the thermodynamic treatment of multicomponent systems. This theory appears to be very fruitful when applied to the above mentioned “difficult” systems.

Four decades of landmark discoveries in heterogeneous catalysis Presenting an historical record of four decades of landmark research, this book draws together an important collection of heterogeneous catalysis papers published by Professor Eli Ruckenstein and his colleagues. One of the most prolific leaders in the field of heterogeneous catalysis today, Dr. Ruckenstein has pioneered methods in catalysis, surface chemistry, and materials science that are now used to develop new chemicals, energy sources, and materials. Heterogeneous Catalysis offers new insights into the underlying mechanisms and chemistry of heterogeneous catalysis. Moreover, the book will help readers develop new applications for both basic research and industry. Coverage includes: Catalysts in various reactions including methane CO2 reforming, methane partial oxidation, and catalytic combustionApplications of materials such as zeolites, mesoporous V-Mg-O oxides, polymers, and polymer-coated SiO2 as catalysts or catalyst supportsTheoretical and experimental investigations of metal sintering in model metal catalysts during heating in different atmospheresTheoretical approaches relevant to heterogeneous catalysis Section introductions tie the chemistry discussed in the assembled papers to today’s research and development, enabling readers to gain a deep appreciation of the history of heterogeneous chemistry as well as the current state of the science and technology. Moreover, readers will gain new perspectives on solving current challenges in the field, enabling them to use Dr. Ruckenstein’s methods to develop new chemicals and materials. Heterogeneous Catalysis is recommended for both students and professionals in catalysis science and materials science. All readers will benefit from the experience and wisdom of Eli Ruckenstein, one of the most esteemed scientists in the world today.

Nanomaterial science has received increasing attention over the last twenty years. As more and more applications are discovered in medical sciences, physics, chemistry, polymer science, material science and engineering, there is a growing need for a basic understanding of nanoparticle interactions and their role in the thermodynamic and kinetic stability of nanodispersions. "Nanodispersions: Interactions, Stability and Dynamics" collects research in nanodispersion interactions and stability by the distinguished Eli Ruckenstein and his research group at SUNY-Buffalo. This book provides valuable insight into current investigations of nanotechnology.

This book consists of a number of papers regarding the thermodynamics and structure of multicomponent systems that we have published during the last decade. Even though they involve different topics and different systems, they have something in common which can be considered as the “signature” of the present book. First, these papers are concerned with “difficult” or very nonideal systems, i. e. systems with very strong interactions (e. g. , hyd- gen bonding) between components or systems with large differences in the partial molar v- umes of the components (e. g. , the aqueous solutions of proteins), or systems that are far from “normal” conditions (e. g. , critical or near-critical mixtures). Second, the conventional th- modynamic methods are not sufficient for the accurate treatment of these mixtures. Last but not least, these systems are of interest for the pharmaceutical, biomedical, and related ind- tries. In order to meet the thermodynamic challenges involved in these complex mixtures, we employed a variety of traditional methods but also new methods, such as the fluctuation t- ory of Kirkwood and Buff and ab initio quantum mechanical techniques. The Kirkwood-Buff (KB) theory is a rigorous formalism which is free of any of the - proximations usually used in the thermodynamic treatment of multicomponent systems. This theory appears to be very fruitful when applied to the above mentioned “difficult” systems.