NICT of Complex Fluids (IFCx)

Abstract

We propose the establishment of the NICT of Complex Fluids (IFCx), with the purpose of congregating researchers in the areas of physics, chemistry, biology, immunology, medicine, dentistry, and, mathematics, working on problems associated with complex fluids. The IFCx will have activities of research, teaching, and extension. The research activities are directed to the generation of knowledge in the frontiers of science, within a strong multidisciplinary environment. The IFCx will organize periodic Schools and will foster the creation of new undergraduate and graduate courses inits areas of research. It will work at the level of high-school teaching, at least in some larger centers, to organize recycling courses for teachers in topics of structure of matter, new materials, water, and biological fluids. As the main goals of study, we have chosen three families of complex fluids, liquid crystals, magnetic colloids, and fluids of biological interest, which are suitable for an integrated approach involving several specialties. In the biological area, there will be emphasis on investigations of interaction, structure, and function, of Iipids and proteins, with attention to artificial and cell membranes. Liquid crystals bring the concepts of orientation and position ordering of their basic units, in different size scales. Some liquid crystals are formed in processes of self-organization, and are similar to cell structures, as the membranes of phospholipids; biological processes may be investigated on the basis of theories developed to explain phase transitions in Iiquid crystals. Magnetic colloids are unique systems of investigation, with the fluidity of an isotropic Iiquid and large magnetic susceptibility. Besides numerous industrial applications, ferrofluids have been used as carriers of drugs in medical treatments and as elements of contrast to obtain in vivo images. In the area of biological fluids, we will pay special attention to human proteins, with investigations of stability and the process of oxidation. In this case, there is an immediate interface with the Iyotropic liquid crystals. The general goals of the IFCx may be grouped in blocs, at short, medium, and long times. At short time, we plan to carry out a multidisciplinary investigation of complex fluids. At medium time, we plan the formation of students with a multidisciplinary background, the organization of an articulated network of laboratories, with the possibility of investigating different problems with complementary experimental techniques, and the development of extension activities involving most of the specialties of the present proposal. At long run, we plan to give emphasis to both the formation of students and the activities of extension; depending on the novelty and the applicability of our results in the area of fluids of biological interest, in particular lipoproteins, we plan to develop new methods of diagnostic of atherosclerosis and suggest clinical treatments. The production of bibliographical material, besides the regular publication of scientific articles, is another purpose of this proposal. These goals can be reached by articulated activities: course and schools, for a better understanding of research problems and the formation of students; organization of special courses on the common experimental techniques, for the training of new users of the available equipment; meetings and workshops with the members of IFCx, and with focus on specific problems; improvements in the internet site for better interactions within the IFCx and with the external public; proposal and improvement of methodologies to study lipoproteins. (AU)