Although first described by Winsor in 1954, the chemistry and technology of microemulsions attracts considerable research interest. Until relatively recently, microemulsions were not used in large scale applications as their phase behaviour and microstructure were not well understood and large amounts of surfactant were needed for their formulation. With increased understanding of their behaviour and significantly improved methods for formulating and tuning their properties, microemulsions are becoming increasingly useful in a range of industrial and research applications.

Covering both the advances that have enabled improved understanding of microemulsions, and the applications in a range of industrial and research settings, and written by a first class team of contributors, this book will be essential reading for anyone using, or considering using microemulsions in the course of their work. Written for research chemists, technologists and engineers in the fine, specialty chemicals and polymer industries, and those in university or government laboratories, this book will be particularly valuable to those early on in their careers.

Cosima Stubenrauch is Senior Lecturer at the School of Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering at University College Dublin, Ireland