The investigation of phenomena involving fractals has gone through a spectacular development in the last decade. Many physical, technological and biological processes have been shown to be related to and described by objects with non-integer dimensions. The physics of far-from-equilibrium growth phenomena represents one of the most important fields in which fractal geometry is widely applied. During the last couple of years considerable experimental, numerical and theoretical information has accumulated concerning such processes. This book, written by a well-known expert in the field, summarizes the basic concepts born in the studies of fractal growth and also presents some of the most important new results for more specialized readers. It also contains 15 beautiful color plates demonstrating the richness of the geometry of fractal patterns. Accordingly, it may serve as a textbook on the geometrical aspects of fractal growth and it treats this area in sufficient depth to make it useful as a reference book. No specific mathematical knowledge is required for reading this book which is intended to give a balanced account of the field.

We have shown that simple power-law dynamics is expected for flexible fractal objects. Although the predicted behavior is well established for linear polymers, the situationm is considerably more complex for colloidal aggregates. In the latter case, the observed K-dependence of (r) can be explained either in terms of non-asymptotic hydrodynamics or in terms of weak power-law polydispersity. In the case of powders (alumina, in particular) apparent fractal behavior seen in static scattering is not found in the dynamics. ID. W. Schaefer, J. E. Martin, P. Wiitzius, and D. S. Cannell, Phys. Rev. Lett. 52,2371 (1984). 2 J. E. Martin and D. W. Schaefer, Phys. Rev. Lett. 5:1,2457 (1984). 3 D. W. Schaefer and C. C. Han in Dynamic Light Scattering, R. Pecora ed, Plenum, NY, 1985) p. 181. 4 P. Sen, this book. S J. E. Martin and B. J. Ackerson, Phys. Rev. A :11, 1180 (1985). 6 J. E. Martin, to be published. 7 D. A. Weitz, J. S. Huang, M. Y. Lin and J. Sung, Phys. Rev. Lett. 53,1657 (1984) . 8 J. E. Martin, D. W. Schaefer and A. J. Hurd, to be published; D. W. Schaefer, K. D. Keefer, J. E. Martin, and A. J. Hurd, in Physics of Finely Divided Matter, M. Daoud, Ed., Springer Verlag, NY, 1985. 9 D. W. Schaefer and A. J. Hurd, to be published. lOJ. E. Martin, J. Appl. Cryst. (to be published).

This book addresses the properties of particles in colloidal suspensions. It has a focus on particle aggregates and the dependency of their physical behaviour on morphological parameters. For this purpose, relevant theories and methodological tools are reviewed and applied to selected examples. The book is divided into four main chapters. The first of them introduces important measurement techniques for the determination of particle size and interfacial properties in colloidal suspensions. A further chapter is devoted to the physico-chemical properties of colloidal particles—highlighting the interfacial phenomena and the corresponding interactions between particles. The book’s central chapter examines the structure-property relations of colloidal aggregates. This comprises concepts to quantify size and structure of aggregates, models and numerical tools for calculating the (light) scattering and hydrodynamic properties of aggregates, and a discussion on van-der-Waals and double layer interactions between aggregates. It is illustrated how such knowledge may significantly enhance the characterisation of colloidal suspensions. The final part of the book refers to the information, ideas and concepts already presented in order to address technical aspects of the preparation of colloidal suspensions—in particular the performance of relevant dispersion techniques and the stability of colloidal suspensions.

Fractals and disordered systems have recently become the focus of intense interest in research. This book discusses in great detail the effects of disorder on mesoscopic scales (fractures, aggregates, colloids, surfaces and interfaces, glasses and polymers) and presents tools to describe them in mathematical language. A substantial part is devoted to the development of scaling theories based on fractal concepts. In ten chapters written by leading experts in the field, the reader is introduced to basic concepts and techniques in disordered systems and is led to the forefront of current research. This second edition has been substantially revised and updates the literature in this important field.

Kinetics of Aggregation and Gelation

Now approaching its tenth year, this hugely successful book presents an unusual attempt to publicise the field of Complex Dynamics. The text was originally conceived as a supplemented catalogue to the exhibition "Frontiers of Chaos", seen in Europe and the United States, and describes the context and meaning of these fascinating images. A total of 184 illustrations - including 88 full-colour pictures of Julia sets - are suggestive of a coffee-table book. However, the invited contributions which round off the book lend the text the required formality. Benoit Mandelbrot gives a very personal account, in his idiosyncratic self-centred style, of his discovery of the fractals named after him and Adrien Douady explains the solved and unsolved problems relating to this amusingly complex set.