Colloid and Surface Science play a critical role in the manufacture of photographic products and related materials.
Most of the active constituents of film (such as silver halide crystals and dye-forming couplers) are coated
as very small particles suspended in an aqueous gelatin solution. The formation, stability, and size of these particles largely depends on their surface chemistry.
Also, the size of particles used in emulsions and coupler dispersions influences photographic speed and color formation. On a microscopic level, how these particles interact with each other (and with the constituents of the coating medium) determine melt rheology and surface tension which in turn strongly influence melt coatability.
In addition, understanding the colloid chemistry of small particles helps Kodak incorporate materials such as latex and solid-particle dye dispersions into film.
Surface science is crucial in the design of photographic supports and subbing layers, as well as high-speed coating (where wetting kinetics and adhesion are key).