Fluid transport in nanoporous materials: proceedings of the NATO advanced study institute, held in La Colle sur Loup, France, 16-28 June 2003

This NATO ASI involved teachings and perspectives of the state-of-the-art in experimental and theoretical understandings of transport in nanoporous solids. This workshop brought together the top scientists and engineers in each area to discuss the similarities and differences in each technique and theory. The lectures truly bridge the gaps between these related areas and approaches. The applications in future separations, catalysis, the environment and energy needs are obvious.

The solids comprised the newly developing molecular sieves, biological systems and polymeric solids. Transport in single particles, in membranes and in commercial applications were reviewed and analyzed, placing each in context. Techniques such as uptake, Chromatographic, Frequency Response, NMR, Neutron Scattering and Infrared spectroscopies are discussed for mixtures as well as for single components. Theoretical approaches such as Density Functional Theory, Statistical Mechanics, Molecular Dynamics and Maxwell-Stefan Theory are employed to analyze the diffusional transport in confined environments, spanning from sub-nanometers to centimetre scales. In all cases the theories are related to the experiments. These lectures present a uniquq opportunity to learn the various theoretical and experimental approaches to analyze and understand transport in nanoporous materials.