Thin liquid films. Dewetting and polymer flow. (Q409207)

Thin liquid films are of interest in different diversified areas like physics, physical chemistry, mathematics, engineering and technology. Each community works in its own area of interest and applications. Wetting occurs everywhere, even though it may not be possible to observe the wetting with naked eye due to thinness of the film. The text possesses all the essential components required to infuse an interest in this multidisciplinary research, and the background for undertaking this project has been ably explained by the author in the preface. The text is spread over six chapters with appendices, lists of figures and symbols used, and bibliography. The appendices make the text self-sufficient. A useful aspect for graduate students is the inclusion of tasks in each chapter. In Chapter 1, the author explains the penetration of surface forces in fluid dynamics with the illustration of experimental set up. Chapter 2 deals with the statistical mechanics of thin films. In the process of wetting and spreading, the phase transition plays a significant role, and special surface forces come into play in thin layers at the interfaces. The characterization of metastable thin films has been adequately dealt with. Chapter 3 discusses experimental results to correlate the theoretical analysis incorporated in the earlier chapters. The cases of classical liquids, soap films, liquid helium, wetting in superconductors and dewetting of polymer thin films have been included. Chapter 4 introduces the governing equations of fluid flow and the associated boundary conditions. The general equations have been approximated for thin films, and their mathematical properties are discussed. Lubrication approximation with relevant subsequent applications have also been recorded. Chapter 5 contains constitutive equations of viscoelastic fluids and their modification for lubrication approximation. The final Chapter 6 refers to the previous work in dewetting, which has not been included in the present exposition. It records an outlook for this fascinating area of research. The text is very well written, and the concepts are laid down with clarity. The emphasis is on the reader to appreciate the subject rather than dazzle.