Content of the course is as follows: (1) Introduction (2) Brownian motion – Kinetic theory, Diffusion. (3) Brownian motion – Displacements, Random Walks in External Fields. (4) Mechanics of macromolecules – Mechanical Forces, Thermal Forces. (5) Mechanics of macromolecules – Chemical Forces, Polymer Mechanics. (6) Particle motion via electricity – Electrophoresis, Dielectrophoresis (7) Particle motion via electricity – Electrorotation, Travelling Wave Dielectrophoresis. (8) Fluid motion via electricity –Electric Double layer, Electroosmosis. (9) Forces between atoms and molecules – General aspects, Covalent and Coulomb interaction. (10) Forces between atoms and molecules – Polar molecules, Polarization of molecules. (11) Forces between atoms and molecules – van der Waals forces, Repulsive forces, Hydrogen-bonding, Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic interactions. (12) Forces between particles and surfaces – General aspects, Contrasts between intermolecular and interparticle/inter-surface forces. (13) Forces between particles and surfaces – van der Waals forces and Electrostatic forces between surfaces in liquid, DLVO (Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek) theory. (14) Forces between particles and surfaces – non-DLVO forces: solvation, structural and hydration forces, Steric and thermal fluctuation forces, Depletion force. (15) Forces between particles and surfaces – Adhesion and Wetting phenomena, Friction and Lubrication.

Mechanics in micro/nano scales occurs in many natural and engineering problems, and is crucial for understanding the basic mechanisms of the phenomena and designing the engineering products, from some traditional disciplines such as aerosol science, colloids, and rheology of continuum, to some recent subjects such as microfluidics and nanotechnology. The goal of this course is to provide students knowledges on the mechanics occurring in micro/nanoscales. First, we will study the Brownian motion as the movement and orientation of micro/nano objects are subject to its effect. Next, we will study the mechanics of macromolecules, using protein particles as examples, bridging some concepts from traditional macroscale to micro/nanoscale mechanics. Thirdly, we will study how to exert force/torque to micro/nano particles via electricity, including electrophoresis, dielectrophoresis, electrorotation, travelling wave dielectrophoresis, and electroosmosis, which are effectively tools in many microfluidic devices, especially for biomedical applications. Finally, we will a systematical study (according to the text by Israelachvili, as shown in the text book (4)) on the forces between atoms and molecules, and then the forces between particles and surfaces, including van der Waals forces; electrostatic forces between surfaces in liquid (the forces associated with electric double layers); non-DLVO forces such as solvation, structural, and hydration forces; steric and fluctuation forces; adhesion; and friction. It is hoped that this course is helpful for the students who are starting a research on the related works.

It is expected that the students who take this course for credit should have certain knowledge of physics, chemistry, mechanics, and mathematics.

9 hours

(1) Albert P. Philipse, “Brownian Motion – Elements of Colloid Dynamics,” Springer, 2018. (2) Jones, T. B., “Electromechanics of Particles”, Cambridge University Press, 1995 (Chapter 1 - 5). (3) Jonathon Howard, “Mechanics of Motor Proteins and the Cytoskeleton,” Sinauer Associates, Inc. Publishers, Sunderland, Massachusetts, USA, 2001 (Chapter 2 - 6). (4) Israelachvili, J. N., “Intermolecular and surface forces,” 3rd ed., Academic Press, San Diego, California, USA, 2011 (Part I and II).

(1) Hunter, R. J., “Zeta potential in colloid science - Principles and Applications,” Academic Press, 1981. (2) Michael P. Hughes, “Nanoelectromechanics in engineering and biology,” CRC Press. (3) Feynman, R. P., Leighton, R. B., and Sands, M., Lectures on physics, volume I, II, III, Addison-Wesley, (1963, 1964, 1965). (4) 李雨, 施博仁, 江宏仁, 趙聖德, 李皇德, 陳瑞琳, 陳冠宇, “奈米科技中的力學,” (第一版) (ISBN：978-986-350-281-4)。臺北市：臺大出版中心。2018年07月。