Abstract

Recent colloid chemistry research has shown that it is possible to engineer surface architectures using combinations of proteins and surfactants. The architectures were investigated by a range of chemical and physical methods across a number of international research groups. These spontaneous soft-matter assemblies were examined as they form on the surface of bubbles, thin liquid films (TLFs) and macroscopic interfaces. Isolated suspended thin liquid films and macroscopic planar interfaces, both act as models of the bubble surface. Studies clearly show domain formation in the interfacial adsorbed layer of meta-stable TLFs. Consequently, it is likely that such condensed soft-matter architectures could find applications in an array of new and scientifically significant nanotechnology areas. Examples of areas which might benefit from these recent highly relevant developments are the fabrication of new drug delivery systems, incorporation of specific surface templates into biosensors, optimised biomedical coatings and nanofluidic miniature analytical devices.

Keywords: fluidity, topology, protein, surfactant, surface rheology