9 Best Books on Soft Materials

“Kinetics, Transport, and Structure in Hard and Soft Materials” Book Review: This reference book provides a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between atomic and molecular transport mechanisms and material structure across a variety of material classes, including metals, semiconductors, network glasses, polymers, and supercooled liquids. The book is divided into four parts, with Part I covering the fundamentals of transport, including the calculation of transport properties of non-interacting particles, the introduction of Brownian motion, and the discussion of diffusion phenomena through the application of Fick’s laws. Elementary statistical mechanics is also discussed to provide a foundation for subsequent discussions of transport mechanisms in different materials. Parts II and III delve into the mechanisms of transport in crystalline and structurally disordered materials, respectively, exploring how the diffusional transport of atoms and molecules is connected to the spatial organization of neighboring structural elements and their interactions. The book also analyzes the temperature-dependent long-range dynamics of glass-forming systems, as well as the diffusion and viscoelasticity of polymer melts and dynamic heterogeneity in supercooled liquids. Part IV focuses on the development of instabilities such as spinodal decomposition and Mullins-Sekerka instabilities, which lead to the morphological evolution of materials. Throughout the book, the material is presented in a user-friendly format suitable for students from any discipline with an elementary foundation.

“Design, Synthesis, and Self-Assembly of Functionalized Soft Materials” Book Review: The book comprises a collection of separate chapters that delve into various subjects within the extensive field of soft condensed matter. Each chapter commences with fundamental definitions to acquaint the reader with the relevant topic. The book elucidates the utilization of fluid flows to produce valuable soft materials for basic research or practical applications. Additionally, the book explores topics associated with colloidal suspensions and soft matter, highlighting their differing behaviors, and presents researchers with a guide on how to employ soft materials to investigate relevant physics queries related to geometrical frustration. This approach challenges students to test their comprehension of the concept.

“Tunneling: Short and Long Tunnels of Small and Large Section Driven Through Hard and Soft Materials (Classic Reprint)” by Book Review: The aim of this book is to provide practicing engineers, contractors, and students with essential principles that are necessary for solving a wide range of problems encountered in the construction of driving tunnels for various purposes. It is an important historical work that has been reproduced using cutting-edge technology to digitally reconstruct the content, allowing students to enhance their understanding of the subject matter.

“Soft Materials: Structure and Dynamics” Book Review: This is an exceptional reference book designed for materials engineers and industrial scientists, documenting the new and emerging challenges in this rapidly expanding area of research. It encompasses a broad range of academic disciplines, offering a comprehensive overview of the current scientific and technological advancements in the analysis and application of soft materials. This guide serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in this field.

“Soft-Material Robotics (Foundations and Trends in Robotics)” Book Review: This is an insightful book that explores the exciting field of soft robotics. Divided into several chapters, the book covers a wide range of topics related to soft-material robotics. Readers will learn about the fundamental principles of soft robotics, the design and fabrication of soft robotic systems, actuation mechanisms, sensing and control, and applications in various fields. Wang and Nurzaman present the information in a clear and accessible manner, making it an engaging read for anyone interested in the cutting-edge advancements in the field of robotics.

“Soft Actuators: Materials, Modeling, Applications, and Future Perspectives” Book Review: This comprehensive book on soft actuators is a modern study that covers a wide range of interdisciplinary fields, including materials science, mechanics, electronics, robotics, and bioscience. The book presents the latest research on soft actuators based on biomaterials and provides future perspectives for artificial muscle technology. It also offers accurate and useful information on materials, synthesis methods, fabrication, and measurements. The book is a valuable resource for promoting research and development of soft actuators, and it provides insights into their industrialization and utilization. With numerous color figures, diagrams, and photographs, the book makes it easy for readers to understand the mechanism, apparatus, and motion of soft actuators. The modeling chapter is especially helpful for designing materials and devices and developing practical applications. Students can learn about the newest technology and information on the basic science and practical applications of flexible, lightweight, and noiseless soft actuators, which are quite different from conventional mechanical engines and electric motors. The new ideas presented in this volume will inspire researchers and developers to explore new fields of applications for soft actuators.

“Nonlinear Mechanics of Soft Fibrous Materials (CISM International Centre for Mechanical Sciences)” Book Review: This is a comprehensive book that explores the fascinating world of soft fibrous materials. Divided into several chapters, the book covers a wide range of topics. Readers will gain insights into the mechanics of soft fibrous materials, including their deformation, stress analysis, and constitutive modeling. The authors delve into the nonlinear behavior of these materials, discussing their mechanical response and the underlying mathematical models. This book is an excellent resource for researchers and engineers interested in understanding the complex mechanics of soft fibrous materials.