Short description
This book provides a solid introduction to the study and use of surfactants, the molecular nature of the interactions of surface active materials, and the consequences their presence can have on system characteristics and performance. The book assumes no prior knowledge of the topic, and is aimed at students and professionals who need a basic understanding of the topic and its potential applications.
Long description
Alchemy originated as a practical discipline for converting base metals into noble metals (transmutation). Chemistry began to emerge as a science in the early 17th century, with roots in practical chemistry, such as the mining and purification of metals and the use of herbs and metals for curing the sick. Surfactant Science and Technology gives readers an illustrated tour of how chemistry developed. Integrating the contents of his two earlier books, A Chemical History Tour and The Art of Chemistry, the author has included over 350 high-quality reproductions of figures from rare books spanning 400 years of chemical publications in his rare-book collection. The illuminating and entertaining essays that accompany each illustration explain the imagery's meaning and significance in the context of both historical scientific beliefs and modern chemical science. Several essays are new to this edition.