Video microscopy of colloidal suspensions and colloidal crystals

Colloidal suspensions are simple model systems for the study of phase transitions. Video microscopy is capable of directly imaging the structure and dynamics of colloidal suspensions in different phases. Recent results related to crystallization, glasses, and 2D systems complement and extend previous theoretical and experimental studies. Moreover, new techniques allow the details of interactions between individual colloidal particles, to be carefully measured. Understanding these details will be crucial for designing novel colloidal phases and new materials, and for manipulating colloidal suspensions for industrial uses. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.