Stefan Idziak

• Complex fluids
• Confinement
• Synchrotron x-ray diffraction

Confinement of complex fluid systems between two surfaces or in narrow pores is known to strongly alter the collective structure of the trapped molecules in fluids composed of molecular aggregates such as polymers, vesicles, biomembranes, or colloidal particles suspended in the liquid. The understanding of these new fluid properties is both of intrinsic and practical interest ranging from thin film lubrication to catalysis and separations. The X-Ray Surface Forces Apparatus (XSFA) is capable of imaging. Research projects include

1. using the XSFA to study the effects of lubrication on wear;
2. the investigation of the structure of flowing complex fluids; and
3. the study of novel complex fluid and membrane systems.

This work is conducted using both in-house x-ray diffraction facilities as well as high resolution synchrotron diffraction techniques.

• PHYS112, Physics 2
• PHYS263, Classical Mechanics and Special Relativity
• SCI206, The Physics of How Things Work

Mazzanti G, Guthrie SE, Sirota EB, et al.
Orientation and phase transitions of fat crystals under shear
CRYST GROWTH DES 3 (5): 721-725 SEP-OCT 2003

Welch SE, Stetzer MR, Hu G, et al.
Intermembrane spacing and velocity profiling of a lamellar lyotropic complex fluid under flow using x-ray diffraction
PHYS REV E 65 (6): Art. No. 061511 Part 1 JUN 2002

Idziak SHJ, Welch SE, Kisilak M, et al.
Undulating membrane structure under mixed extensional-shear flow
EUR PHYS J E 6 (2): 139-145 OCT 2001

Kisilak M, Anderson H, Babcock NS, et al.
An x-ray extensional flow cell
REV SCI INSTRUM 72 (11): 4305-4307 NOV 2001

Warriner HE, Keller SL, Idziak SHJ, et al.
The influence of polymer molecular weight in lamellar gels based on PEG-lipids
BIOPHYS J 75 (1): 272-293 JUL 1998

Professor Idziak is a co-holder of several patents in Canada, United States, Brazil and International

• Marangoni, A.G., Idziak, S.H.J., Food Product, 2006. Canada and Brazil Patent Application.

• Marangoni, A.G., Idziak, S.H.J., Food Product, 2005. U.S.A. and International Patent Application.

• Marangoni, A.G., Idziak, S.H.J., 2005. Spreadable Food Product [US] Patent patent-number 20050249855, filed May 7, 2004 (issued, 2005).

• Safinya, C.R., Warriner, H.E., Idziak, S.H.J., 2005. Lamellar Gels and Methods for Making and Regulating [US] Patent patent-number 6,899,895, filed January 4, 2001 (issued, 2005).

• Safinya, C.R., Warriner, H.E., Idziak, S.H.J., 2005. Lamellar Gels and Methods for Making and Using [US] Patent patent-number 6,207,186, filed February 13, 1998 (issued, 2001).

• 2000: Premier's Research Excellence Award

• Associate Dean of Science, Special Projects
• Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology

• 2010 - present: Judge-in-chief, Waterloo Wellington Science and Engineering Fair
• 2007: Chair, Division of Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Canadian Association of Physicists
• 2003 - 2012: Secretary, Canadian Institute for Synchrotron Radiation

The following news stories have featured Dr. Idziak's teaching:

• October 26, 2012: Beyond the Classroom with Prof. Stefan Idziak.
• Dr. Idziak's teaching methods have been highlighted by the Centre for Teaching Excellence.
  Stefan Idziak: Blast Off! A Launch in the Right Direction

1992 PhD Physics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

1986 BSc Physics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada