Cross-Linked Liquid Crystalline Systems: From Rigid Polymer Networks to Elastomers

by Dirk Broer (Editor), Gregory P Crawford (Editor), Slobodan Zumer (Editor)

Overview

Liquid crystal displays were discovered in the 1960s, and today we continue to enjoy the benefits of that fundamental discovery and its translation into a wide variety of products. Like liquid crystals, polymers are unusual materials, and have similarly enjoyed a great deal of research attention because of their vast applications and uses and complex fundamental properties. The combination of liquid crystal and polymer properties produces a broad array of new effects—spanning from densely crosslinked, rigid polymer networks to weakly crosslinked elastomers—that are not simply manifestations of either native liquid crystals or polymers alone.

Cross-Linked Liquid Crystalline Systems brings together liquid crystal and polymer systems and their variations. The field, much like traditional liquid crystals, is one of an interdisciplinary nature with a broad spectrum, from the very fundamental questions of nature to a myriad of practical uses. There seems to be no shortage of unusual properties and far-reaching applications in densely crossed-linked liquid crystal systems and liquid crystal elastomers. These systems provide a rich new avenue for both fundamental and applied research and continue to fascinate scientists and engineers. Specifically, this book covers:

• Cross-linked networks created from reactive mesogen materials



• Manipulation of liquid crystalline by external constraints



• Advances in liquid crystal display screen technology



• Physical and electromagnetic properties of elastomers and magnetic gels



• Computer simulations and theory of liquid crystal polymeric networks and elastomers



• Side-on nematic liquid-crystalline elastomers for artificial muscle applications

Liquid crystal display technology has driven much of the fundamental research in crosslinked liquid crystalline systems. The systems’ ability to enforce three-di

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781420046229
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/24/2011
Series:	Liquid Crystals Book Series
Pages:	630
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Dirk J. Broer, Gregory P. Crawford, Slobodan Žumer

Table of Contents

Densely Cross-Linked Systems. Weakly Cross-Linked Systems: Liquid Crystal Elastomers.