Abstract
The properties of supramolecular aggregates cross several disciplines, embracing the sciences of nature and joining theory, experiment, and application. There are few articles centering on the problems of interdisciplinarity, and this paper gives an alternative approach, starting with scientific divulgation, bringing concepts from their origin, to facilitate the access of young scientists to the scientific content. Didactic examples are taken from the experience of the author in changing directions of research due to several circumstances of life (including maternity), starting from the view of a rigorous student of physics and evolving to several subjects in chemistry. The scientific part starts with concepts related to nuclear interactions, using the technique of neutron scattering in reactors, and evolves to research in molecular physics. Finally, it arrives at the academic context, with research in condensed matter physics, with X-ray and other techniques, starting with detergents forming nematic lyotropic liquid crystals and the phase transition sequence of isotropic to nematics to hexagonal. The scientific subjects evolved to biological and bio-inspired liquid crystals, including DNA and also specific lipids and phospholipids in biomimetic membranes. Special attention is given to the question of distribution of matter in these complex systems and the non-trivial connections between biochemistry, structures, auto-aggregation, and biology.
Highlights
Hardness and softness are properties of materials on the macroscopic scale but are the result of interactions at the molecular level
This paper aims to offer an alternative approach to this difficult problem, focusing on basic concepts necessary to enter interdisciplinary fields, with an initial approach of scientific divulgation
The analysis considered the relations between volumes occupied by micelles and water and some possible forms for the micelles, together with possibilities of both twodimensional and three-dimensional short-range ordering
Summary
Hardness and softness are properties of materials on the macroscopic scale but are the result of interactions at the molecular level. This interdisciplinary field, with the study of intermolecular bonding, has included systems that self-assemble, at the triple meeting point of chemistry, biology, and physics [3], and has reached the 21st century with an incredible power in terms of both basic knowledge and technological applications It is a long history, connected to deep transformations in human societies!. A colloidal solution is a heterogeneous system consisting of a mechanical mixture of particles with sizes between 1 and 1000 nm, in a continuum medium (solid, liquid, or gas), with behavior that is intermediate between a true solution and particles dispersed in a medium (suspension, emulsion, or foam) This interdisciplinary field evolved to studies of the reactivity of surfaces and interfaces, making a bridge between the macroscopic level and the atomic and molecular levels. This section will chronologically follow the YF’s experiences (important points stressed in bold italics)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
