surfactant

American  

[ser-fak-tuhnt] / sərˈfæk tənt /

noun

Chemistry.

1. surface-active agent.

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surfactant British  

/ sɜːˈfæktənt /

noun

1. Also called: surface-active agent.  a substance, such as a detergent, that can reduce the surface tension of a liquid and thus allow it to foam or penetrate solids; a wetting agent

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adjective

1. having the properties of a surfactant

surfactant Scientific  

/ sər-făk′tənt /

1. A substance that, when dissolved in water, lowers the surface tension of the water and increases the solubility of organic compounds. Surfactants are used in inks to increase the effects of capillary action; detergents are surfactants that help remove organic compounds from a substance by making them dissolve more readily in the water in which the substance is washed.

2. A substance composed of lipoprotein that is secreted by the alveolar cells of the lung and maintains the stability of pulmonary tissue by reducing the surface tension of fluids that coat the lung.

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Etymology

Origin of surfactant

1945–50; shortening of surf(ace)-act(ive) a(ge)nt

Example Sentences

The research team, led by Professor Rei Kurita, studied simple foam systems created using different surfactants to produce a range of foam types.

From Science Daily

Special chemicals called surfactants keep the water and diesel evenly blended, allowing the emulsion to remain stable for up to sixty days.

From Science Daily

It also hints that surfactants might someday be used to control bacterial movement depending on whether microbes are swashing or swarming.

From Science Daily

They contain enzymes to break down proteins and starches, and surfactants so water spreads and cleans better.

From BBC

To build MOCHI, researchers combined surfactant molecules with a liquid mixture.

From Science Daily