Professor Brian Vincent is a leading light in colloid science both in
the UK and internationally. The science Brian has been involved in has
influenced many areas of colloids both academically and industrially. He
has collaborated with many sectors of industry (including
pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, agrochemicals, personal products,
laundry products, paints and coatings). Brian has also been an active
member of both the RSC and the SCI and has collaborated with many
universities in the UK and overseas. Brian Vincent retired from the
position of Leverhulme Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University
of Bristol at the end of 2007 after a long and distinguished career
which started as a chemistry undergraduate in Bristol in 1961. After
obtaining a 1st class honours degree in Chemistry and an MSc in Surface
Chemistry and Colloids and a PhD, Brian then moved to Wageningen to work
in Hans Lyklema's laboratory on a Royal Society Fellowship. This was to
be the start of a lifelong friendship and scientific collaboration with
the Colloid and Physical Chemistry Group there. After returning to the
UK in 1969, Brian had a succession of top posts and appointments
culminating in 1993 when he became the 5th Leverhulme Professor in
Physical Chemistry. In 1994, together with Dr Jim Goodwin, Brian founded
the very successful Bristol Colloid Centre, an organisation which
carries out short-term research and consultancy work for industry. Brian
has received many honours including the SCI Founder's Lecture and Award,
the SCI Distinguished Service Award, the RSC award in Surface and
Colloid Chemistry and the Rehbinder Lecture and Medal (Moscow). He has
had numerous invitations to give lectures throughout the world and has
published over 250 papers, articles, books and patents during his
career. He has also been very active at the academic /industry interface
and has been a consultant for many of the leading companies that use
colloid technology worldwide. This unique book is effectively a
compendium of Brian's research, complemented by contributions on current
topics in colloids by some of the leading scientists in the field. It
provides an overview of the broad spectrum of colloid and interface
science in which Brian has been a research pioneer for many years. The
contributors to this symposium volume comprise a selection of Brian's
past students and postdocs who have themselves pursued academic careers
and other colleagues with whom he has worked extensively, all of whom
are of international standing in colloid science and as such make this
book an invaluable reference tool. The book backs up a meeting organised
jointly by the RSC Colloid and Interface Science Group and the SCI
Colloid & Surface Science Group and covers topics such as: "The
Adsorption of Small, Negative Particles onto Large Positive Particles
"Polymer Chemistry, Hypervelocity Physics and the CASSINI Space Mission
"The BV Droplets Downunder: From Model Emulsions to Drug Delivery "
Polymers and Surfactants at Interfaces "Controlled Release as Desorption
from Porous Polymeric Systems "Characterisation and Application of
Colloidal Micorogels "Surface Modification The range of the subject
material highlights Brian's own very broad interests in colloid science;
it also reflects his long-standing interest in both the academic
fundamentals as well as practical applications of the subject. The
volume is dedicated to Brian in recognition of his considerable
contribution to the world of colloid science and to the guidance and
inspiration he has given to many future generations of colloid
scientists. However, the book is not just reflective, but provides
insight into new areas in which colloid science is being applied. It has
specific appeal to both colloid scientists in academia and industry who
will find this book fascinating as well as an indispensable reference
tool.
