Protein crystallization and clayswelling are two examples of phase transitions in colloidal fluids. We have recently developed a consistent statistical mechanical approach to describe these transitions. We use density functional theory to describe the solvation forces that act between large suspended particles. With this technique we can describe the most important aspects of the crystallization and swelling transitions and in particular we can illustrate the central importance of the solvent activity. In the near future we plan to address the influence of particle surface charge and of plate flexibility.

* Denotes principal investigator.