Van der Waals forces, named after Dutch scientist Johannes Diderik van der Waals, are weak attractive forces that exist between molecules or atoms. These forces arise from fluctuations in electron distribution within molecules, resulting in temporary dipoles that attract other nearby molecules. Van der Waals forces play a crucial role in determining the physical and chemical properties of substances, such as solubility, boiling point, and viscosity. Research in the area of van der Waals forces focuses on understanding their nature, strength, and impact on various phenomena in chemistry, physics, and materials science. Recent advancements in this field have led to the development of new materials with unique properties and applications.