(Updated: 27th May 1999)

The Foundation Head, Professor Barry Ninham (left) and the Head of Department Professor Stephen Hyde. About the Department The department comprises over a dozen academic staff, plus visitors, technicians and graduate students who work in a cross-disciplinary area where chemistry, physics, biology, earth science and materials science meet. More than half its research is experimental, including fundamental studies of surface forces, liquid crystals and mesostructured materials. The well-known surface force apparatus was developed in the department, which has provided more than twenty-five research groups around the world with various versions of this instrument. Other areas of particular strength include the statistical mechanics of electrolytes and complex fluids, the self-assembly of amphiphiles, characterisation of and transport in porous media, and biomineralisation. The research interests are pure as well as applied, with externally funded projects in various aspects of materials science. There are numerous collaborative links, both within Australia and with groups in Sweden, Germany, Italy, Japan, France and the U.S. Facilities include several different types of surface force apparatus, atomic force microscopy, small-angle X-ray diffraction, as well as ready access to supercomputers , electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. Excellent mechanical and electronic workshop services are available. All these factors combine to provide an unparalleled environment for high-quality research, both experimental and theoretical. The department encourages postgraduate research and offers a range of projects across the disciplines of physics, chemistry, maths, and engineering. These can range from theoretical to industrially relevant. General information on the city Canberra or Australia.   CHEERS