<P> The idea of a Langmuir -- Blodgett ( LB ) film was first proven feasible in 1917 when Dr. Irving Langmuir ( Langmuir , 1917 ) showed that single water - surface monolayers could be transferred to solid substrates . 18 years later , Dr. Katharine Blodgett made an important scientific advance when she discovered that several of these single monolayer films could be stacked on top of one another to make multilayer films ( Blodgett 1935 ) . Since then , LB films ( and subsequently the troughs to make them ) have been used for a wide variety of scientific experimentation , ranging from 2D crystallization of proteins to Brewster angle microscopy . The LB trough 's general objective is to study the properties of monolayers of amphiphilic molecules . An amphiphilic molecule is one that contains both a hydrophobic and hydrophilic domain ( e.g. soaps and detergents ) . The LB trough allows investigators to prepare a monolayer of amphiphilic molecules on the surface of a liquid , and then compress or expand these molecules on the surface , thereby modifying the molecular density , or area per molecule . This is accomplished by placing a subphase ( usually water ) in a trough , spreading a given amphiphile over the surface , and then compressing the surface with barriers ( see illustration ) . The monolayer 's effect on the surface pressure of the liquid is measured through use of a Wilhelmy plate , electronic wire probes , or other types of detectors . An LB film can then be transferred to a solid substrate by dipping the substrate through the monolayer . </P>
<P> The idea of a Langmuir -- Blodgett ( LB ) film was first proven feasible in 1917 when Dr. Irving Langmuir ( Langmuir , 1917 ) showed that single water - surface monolayers could be transferred to solid substrates . 18 years later , Dr. Katharine Blodgett made an important scientific advance when she discovered that several of these single monolayer films could be stacked on top of one another to make multilayer films ( Blodgett 1935 ) . Since then , LB films ( and subsequently the troughs to make them ) have been used for a wide variety of scientific experimentation , ranging from 2D crystallization of proteins to Brewster angle microscopy . The LB trough 's general objective is to study the properties of monolayers of amphiphilic molecules . An amphiphilic molecule is one that contains both a hydrophobic and hydrophilic domain ( e.g. soaps and detergents ) . The LB trough allows investigators to prepare a monolayer of amphiphilic molecules on the surface of a liquid , and then compress or expand these molecules on the surface , thereby modifying the molecular density , or area per molecule . This is accomplished by placing a subphase ( usually water ) in a trough , spreading a given amphiphile over the surface , and then compressing the surface with barriers ( see illustration ) . The monolayer 's effect on the surface pressure of the liquid is measured through use of a Wilhelmy plate , electronic wire probes , or other types of detectors . An LB film can then be transferred to a solid substrate by dipping the substrate through the monolayer . </P>
who experimented with oil and water layers in 1917
who experimented with oil and water layers in 1917
Dr. Irving Langmuir
Dr. Irving Langmuir