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Surface science
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<p>Surface science is the study of <a href="/facts/Physics/a7aH2y08">physical</a> and <a href="/facts/Chemistry/SrNqkGVm">chemical</a> phenomena that occur at the <a href="/facts/Interface_(chemistry)/HnIAndVA">interface</a> of two <a href="/facts/Phase_(matter)/NkHXDdN3">phases</a>, including <a href="/facts/Solid/hj5UsXno">solid</a>–<a href="/facts/Liquid/t9GkLWzt">liquid</a> interfaces, solid–<a href="/facts/Gas/hVVAoodV">gas</a> interfaces, solid–<a href="/facts/Vacuum/BTk3goyV">vacuum</a> interfaces, and <a href="/facts/Liquid/t9GkLWzt">liquid</a>–<a href="/facts/Gas/hVVAoodV">gas</a> interfaces. It includes the fields of <i><a href="/facts/Surface_chemistry/WTENdutJ">surface chemistry</a></i> and <i><a href="/facts/Surface_physics/WTENdutJ">surface physics</a></i>. Some related practical applications are classed as <a href="/facts/Surface_engineering/QXKlrplr">surface engineering</a>. The science encompasses concepts such as <a href="/facts/Heterogeneous_catalysis/ju7E0bab">heterogeneous catalysis</a>, <a href="/facts/Semiconductor_device_fabrication/Jd23Mu1z">semiconductor device fabrication</a>, <a href="/facts/Fuel_cell/UcMYnCW3">fuel cells</a>, <a href="/facts/Self-assembled_monolayer/Sjzt0ugA">self-assembled monolayers</a>, and <a href="/facts/Adhesive/shTfIJ0E">adhesives</a>. Surface science is closely related to <a href="/facts/Interface_and_colloid_science/I3PtFGsj">interface and colloid science</a>. Interfacial chemistry and physics are common subjects for both. The methods are different. In addition, interface and colloid science studies <a href="/facts/Macroscopic/NLwPDtLe">macroscopic</a> <a href="/facts/Phenomena/4CBrlVeW">phenomena</a> that occur in <a href="/facts/Heterogeneous/y84KQJxl">heterogeneous</a> systems due to peculiarities of interfaces. </p>