VVZ API is not affiliated with ETH Zurich. Data might be outdated or incorrect. Please view the official ETHZ Vorlesungsverzeichnis for binding information.
Colloids and Colloidal Principles for Applications
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:25:17
Abstract
The lecture concerns with the interdisciplinary topic of colloids. Colloids are widespread in daily life, in nature and applications. They are mixtures of different phases and have a complex appearance. Why is milk white and some tooth pastes transparent? What can we expect of such systems and how can we use them. With examples and key experiments from daily life in the area of materials and food.
Objective
Types of colloids and their fundamental properties; general appearance and shape; formation of particles; colloidal stability as a sum of attractive and repulsive forces; surface reactions; measurement methods; agglomeration; rheology; association colloids; foams; surface physics; structural analysis. The colloidal principles are discussed on many examples. With demonstration experiments and exercises.
Content
Colloids and colloidal principles are widespread in daily life, in nature and technical application. Why is milk white and some tooth pastes transparent? What are colloids and what is their behaviour? Colloids are mixtures of different phases and diverse and complex appearance. What can we expect of such systems, how can we use their properties and how can we use their properties. With lots of examples from the daily life in the area of materials and of food, with key experiments, this lecture concerns the interdisciplinary and very broad topic of the colloids.
Resources
Literature
Lagaly, G., Schulz, O., et al. (1997). Dispersionen und Emulsionen. Darmstadt, Steinkopff. Evans, D.F. and Wennerstroem, H. (1999). The Colloidal Domain. New York, Wiley-VCH.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- end-of-semester examination
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Colloids and Colloidal Principles for Applications |
|
2 h weekly |
| exercise | Colloids and Colloidal Principles for Applications |
|
2 h weekly |