The 14th Conference of the European Colloid and Interface Society (ECIS 2000) was held in September 2000, in Patras, GREECE. Researchers from the academia and the industrial sector met and presented research work divided in nine thematic sections: molecular interactions in thin films, polymer-surfactant interactions, structure and dynamics at interfaces, biocolloids, colloids in pharmaceutical and biological applications, new trends in colloid and interface science techniques, rheology, self assembly of amphiphiles and measurements in concentrated suspensions. Selected contributions from these thematic areas are presented in the present volume and show the up today achievements of the Colloid and Interface Science.

This volume includes a number of selected papers of the 12th Conference of the European Colloid and Interface Society, held in September 1998 in Dubrovnik and Cavtat, Croatia. The topics included are: Amphiphiles, Monolayers and Micelles, Solutions and Suspensions, Emulsions and Microemulsions, Polymers, Interfaces, and Experimental techniques.

This volume includes 11 contributions to the 23rd Conference of the European Colloid and Interface Society which took in Antalya, Turkey between September 6th and 11th, 2009. The contributions from leading scientists cover a broad spectrum of topics concerning• Self Assembly• Interfacial Phenomena• Colloidal Dispersions and Colloidal Stability• Polymer Solution, Gels and Phase Behaviour• Nanostructured Materials• Biomaterials and Medical AspectsDue to the increasing significance of Colloid and Interface Science for both scientific and technical applications where scientific principles also contribute to new technologies in fast improving Nanotechnology and Medical Science, this book will be an essential source of information with respect to recent developments and results related to this field.

The 13th Conference of the European Colloid and Interface Society (ECIS 99) was held in September 1999 in Dublin, Ireland. It brought together scientists from academic research and industry within the field of physics and chemistry of colloids and interfaces. The Conference focused on the following topics: - Surfactant colloids; - Polymer colloids and solid particles; - Food colloids; - Soft matter interfaces; - Biosystems; - Rheology; - Experimental methods in colloid and interface science.

This volume includes 35 contributions to the 24th Conference of the European Colloid and Interface Society which took place in September 2010 in Prague. The contributions from leading scientists cover a broad spectrum of the following topics: • Self-assembling, Stimuli-responsive and Hierarchically Organized Systems • Colloid, Polymer and Polyelectrolyte Solutions; Concentrated Systems and Gels • Thin Films, Interfaces and Surfaces; Wetting Phenomena • Novel Nano-to-Mesostructured Functional Materials • Biologically Important and Bioinspired Systems; Pharmaceutical and Medical Applications

Nanoscience is a multidisciplinary area of science which enables researchers to create tools that help in understanding the mechanisms related to the interactions between nanomaterials and biomolecules (nanotechnology). Nanomaterials represent nanotechnology products. These products have an enormous impact on technical industries and the quality of human life. Nanomaterials directly or indirectly have to interact with biosystems. It is, therefore, essential to understand the beneficial and harmful interactions of nanomaterials with and within a biosystem, especially with reference to humans. This book provides primary and advanced information concerning the interactions between nanomaterials and the components of a typical biosystem to readers. Chapters in the book cover, in a topic-based approach, the many facets of nanomolecular interactions with biological molecules and systems that influence their behavior, bioavailability and biocompatibility (including nucleic acids, cell membranes, tissues, enzymes and antibodies). A note on the applications of nanomaterials is also presented in the conclusion of the book to illustrate the usefulness of this class of materials. The contents of the book will benefit students, researchers, and technicians involved in the fields of biological sciences, such as cell biology, medicine, molecular biology, food technology, cosmetology, pharmacology, biotechnology, and environmental sciences. The book also provides information for the material science personnel, enabling them to understand the basics of target-oriented nanomaterials design for specific objectives.

This book gives a summary of the rapidly growing field of nanotechnology and includes materials and technologies that help in developing particles of various sizes, which can be utilized in different areas of research. It discusses the role of nanotechnology in different aspects, such as healthcare, especially in target-specific drug therapy for managing a number of medical disorders; agriculture, for developing smart field systems; and food industry, for improving and stabilizing the quality, healthiness, and shelf life of food. Being multidisciplinary, this book brings together the principles, theory, practices, and applications of not only nanotechnology but also those of nanobiotechnology, pharmaceuticals, food packaging, biosensors, and electronic devices. The book will be an exhilarating read for advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level students, general readers interested in nanotechnology, and researchers in chemistry, biology, and engineering. The scope of the book extends from basic research in physics, chemistry, and biology, including computational work and simulations, through to the development of new devices and technologies for applications in a wide range of industrial sectors (including information technology, medicine, manufacturing, high-performance materials, and energy and environmental technologies). It covers organic, inorganic, and hybrid materials and is an interdisciplinary book.