Laboratory of Surface Forces

The Laboratory of Surface Forces of the IFHE RAS (the original name is the laboratory of thin layers of the Colloidal Electrochemical Institute of the USSR Academy of Sciences) was founded in 1935 by Boris Vladimirovich Deryagin, the largest physicochemist of the 20th century, who laid the foundations of modern science of colloids and surfaces. The laboratory became world famous for the works of academician B.V. Deryagin, his staff and students, on the development of the theory of surface forces, the theory of stability of colloids and thin films (DLFO), the theory of reversible coagulation of dispersed systems, the theory of solutions, the statistical theory of phase transitions of the first and second kind, the theory of vapor condensation, frost heaving of soils, the theory of formation of double contact layer of solids (DMT), theory of diffusiophoresis, thermophoresis and capillary osmosis, theory of wetting. The main areas of research today are: Studies of long-range surface forces in films of aqueous and non-aqueous solutions. Development of the theory of non-linear forces, including phonon and adsorption components of wedging pressure, solvation forces.

Study of the structure of boundary phases and thin liquid layers. Investigation of phase states and phase transitions in two- and three-dimensional systems.

Investigation of wetting and spreading processes by methods of real experiment and numerical simulation. Study of the transition zone between the bulk liquid and the wetting film. Development of automated methods for measuring the surface tension of liquids and wetting edge angles.

Development of statistical mechanics of gases and liquids to solve the problem of phase transitions of the 1st and 2nd kind, generalization of statistical mechanics to the case of nonequilibrium processes, development of the theory of solutions.

Collective aspects of stochastic and nonequilibrium phenomena at the interface of phases, including the development of the kinetic theory of molecular diffusion and dynamics of molecular and dissociative chemical adsorption/desorption.

Creation of extreme wetting conditions on the surface of various materials, including superhydrophobic, superhydrophilic, obtaining surfaces with gradient and switchable wetting.

The use of superhydrophobic coatings to impart new unique properties to materials, such as heat resistance, resistance to icing, corrosion, wear, etc.