Nano- and Microtechnology from A - Z: From Nanosystems to Colloids and Interfaces

K

Kataphoresis

See Electrophoresis.

Keesom Forces

See van der Waals Forces.

Keesom, Willem Hendrik (1876–1956)

A Dutch physicist best known to colloid and interface scientists for his work in molecular interactions, including the dipole–dipole interactions that are named for him. Keesom interactions form one of the kinds of van der Waals forces between any two bodies of finite mass. Keesom is also known for his work in cryogenics, as part of which he was the first to be able to solidify helium.

Kelvin Equation

An expression for the vapour pressure of a liquid droplet, RT ln(p/p_o) = 2γV/r, where p is the vapour pressure of the liquid in bulk, p_o is the vapour pressure of the droplet, γ is the surface tension, V is the molar volume, and r is the radius of the liquid droplet. See also Young–Laplace Equation. The Kelvin equation predicts that small liquid droplets will evaporate at a greater rate than will large droplets and that small particles will be more soluble than larger particles.

Kelvin, Lord

See Thomson, William (1824–1907).

Kelvin Tetrakaidecahedron

A model polyhedron of the type that may represent that existing in foams and froths. The Kelvin tetrakaidecahedron has eight nonplanar hexagon faces and six planar quadrilateral faces, and has been used to represent possibly one of the more stable foam cell shapes, in terms of minimizing surface-free energy.

Keratin

Insoluble protein from hair, nails, and outer layers of skin. See also Collagen.

Kerogen

See ...