The development of novel materials is a fundamental focal point of chemical research; and this interest is mandated by advancements in all areas of industry and technology. A good example of the synergism between scientific discovery and technological development is the electronics industry, where discoveries of new semiconducting materials resulted in the evolution from vacuum tubes to diodes and transistors, and eventually to miniature chips. The progression of this technology led to the development * To whom correspondence should be addressed. B.L.C.: (504) 2801385 (phone); (504) 280-3185 (fax); bcushing@uno.edu (e-mail). C.J.O.: (504)280-6846(phone);(504)280-3185(fax);coconnor@uno.edu (e-mail). 3893 Chem. Rev. 2004, 104, 3893−3946

http://depa.fquim.unam.mx/amyd//archivero/FidelmarLechugaSanabria_4940.pdf

Recent advances in the liquid-phase syntheses of inorganic nanoparticles.

1: Magnetic Particles: Preparation, Properties and Applications: M. Ozaki. 2: Maghemite (gamma-Fe2O3): A Versatile Magnetic Colloidal Material C.J. Serna, M.P. Morales. 3: Dynamics of Adsorption and Oxidation of Organic Molecules on Illuminated Titanium Dioxide Particles Immersed in Water M.A. Blesa, R.J. Candal, S.A. Bilmes. 4: Colloidal Aggregation in Two-Dimensions A. Moncho-Jorda, F. Martinez-Lopez, M.A. Cabrerizo-Vilchez, R. Hidalgo Alvarez, M. Quesada-PMerez. 5: Kinetics of Particle and Protein Adsorption Z. Adamczyk.

Surface and Colloid Science

Hydrocolloids at interfaces and the influence on the properties of dispersed systems

Methods are provided for inhibiting stenosis following vascular trauma or disease in a mammalian host, comprising administering to the host a therapeutically effective dosage of a therapeutic conjugate containing a vascular smooth muscle binding protein that associates in a specific manner with a cell surface of the vascular smooth muscle cell, coupled to a therapeutic agent dosage form that inhibits a cellular activity of the muscle cell. Methods are also provided for the direct and/or targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to vascular smooth muscle cells that cause a dilation and fixation of the vascular lumen by inhibiting smooth muscle cell contraction, thereby constituting a biological stent.

Therapeutic inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cells

Structured emulsion-based delivery systems: controlling the digestion and release of lipophilic food components.

Containing information useful for demonstrating the relation between the function of Hydrophilic Lipophilic Balance (HLB) and solubilization, microemulsions and emulsion stability or inversion, this book covers the effect of temperature on systems containing nonionic surfactants and studies of the surfactant as a function of temperature. The book also demonstrates how the HLB solution properties of the surfactant can be controlled to change from water-soluble to oil-soluble.

Emulsions and Solubilization

Recent results on the concentration dependence of the mutual interaction between dodecyl sulphate and dodecanol in emulsions were used as a basis to demonstrate the necessity of taking water/ emulsifier interaction into account when interpreting the enhanced stabilizing action of combined emulsifiers. The usefulness of three-dimensional association structures, such as liquid crystals, as model substances for obtaining information about the structure and bonding conditions of combined emulsifiers at an interface, was discussed. The earlier opinion on the presence and location of lyotropic liquid crystals in emulsion systems was verified by optical and electron microscopy and the structure of the phases identified by low-angle X-ray diffractometry. The influence of the presence of liquid crystals at the o/w interface on the flocculation and coalescence of emulsion droplets was estimated from the change in van der Waals (VdW) interaction. The results indicated a negligible influence of the changed attraction on the flocculation process from the adsorption of liquid crystals at the interface. On the other hand, the corresponding effect on the coalescence was pronounced; the presence of a liquid crystal reduced the VdW energy available for bringing about coalescence, by a factor of about 20.

Surfactant association structure and emulsion stability

Microemulsions containing nonionic surfactants—The importance of the pit value

By considering the so-called microemulsions as hydrocarbons dissolved in the homogeneous alcoholic phase, L2, present in the systems water-surface-active substance-alcohol the phase equilibria and NMR spectra of the micellar solutions can be interpreted in the following way. The presence of the dissolved hydrocarbon in the hydrocarbon part of the micellar solution enhances the solubilization of water in the micelles owing to changes of the packing conditions of the soap and alcohol hydrocarbon chains. At very high concentrations of hydrocarbon the solubilization of water is strongly reduced owing to the transport of alcohol from the micelles into the hydrocarbon part of the solution.

NMR and IR investigation of the conditions determining the stability of microemulsions

The earlier hypothesis of the presence of a liquid crystalline layer at the interface of a stable emulsion has been experimentally verified by means of visual observation in a microscope. It is shown that the emulsions reach the high level of stability, which characterizes emulsions containing liquid crystals, when the liquid crystals begin to be dispersed as separate aggregates besides their location at the interface. Calculations of the influence on van der Waal's interaction between the emulsified droplets show that the relative size of the Hamaker constant of the liquid crystalline layer is a more important factor for the stability than the thickness of the adsorbed layer.

Stig Friberg

Papers

Emulsions and Solubilization

Surfactant association structure and emulsion stability

Microemulsions containing nonionic surfactants—The importance of the pit value

NMR and IR investigation of the conditions determining the stability of microemulsions

Liquid crystalline phases in emulsions