Abstract:
Colloids?dispersion of solid particles in a fluid?have played a key role in the survival
of human civilization. Quite interestingly, the diverse material applications of
colloids like in the making of Lycurgus cups (4th century) or as a diagnostic therapy
in the cure of dysentery, epilepsy and tumours (17th century) [1] precede the coining
of the word "colloid" in mid 19th century. The word colloid originates from the Greek
word "kolla" (glue) and "eiods" (appearance) and was coined by Thomas Graham, a
Scottish chemist in 1861. Later, a comprehensive understanding of diverse and exotic
properties of colloids led to their numerous applications in industries and day-to-day
life. Examples include thickening agents, food products such as mayonnaise and ice
creaM.S., in the purification of water, paints, inks, electrical gadgets, photonic band gap
materials etc. More recently, colloidal crystals as structural color filters are playing
crucial roles in the development of next generation electronic gadgets [212]. Apart
from their versatile material applications, colloids mimic the phase behavior of atomic
systeM.S. and thus provide microscopic insights into complex, diverse and intensely
debated phenomena in condensed matter physics [1323]. The typical number density
of colloidal particles in a suspension is of the order 1013cm?3 and hence, the structure
and dynamics of systeM.S. comprising of colloidal particles, like atomic systeM.S., are
governed by laws of classical statistical mechanics.
