Cross Linked Liquid Crystalline Systems

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 compl

This book describes the synthesis of cross-linked LC materials, as non-oriented and oriented systems. Potential applications are described: actuators or artificial muscles, optics, and imprinted materials for separation. Although the physics of these materials has been the topic of other books, there has not been a single book devoted to the chemistry of cross-linked LC materials. The developments toward the preparation of micro and nano systems can be seen as a sign that the field is gaining more and more interest, in conjunction with other domains such as microfluidics.

A 2006 edition explaining the underlying science and applications of liquid crystalline polymers.

A state-of-the-art account of current developments in polymer-dispersed liquid crystals and polymer-stabilized liquid crystals research.

An exhaustive review of the history, current state, and future opportunities for harnessing light to accomplish useful work in materials, this book describes the chemistry, physics, and mechanics of light-controlled systems. • Describes photomechanical materials and mechanisms, along with key applications • Exceptional collection of leading authors, internationally recognized for their work in this growing area • Covers the full scope of photomechanical materials: polymers, crystals, ceramics, and nanocomposites • Deals with an interdisciplinary coupling of mechanics, materials, chemistry, and physics • Emphasizes application opportunities in creating adaptive surface features, shape memory devices, and actuators; while assessing future prospects for utility in optics and photonics and soft robotics

Offers comprehensive coverage of the structural characterization of polysaccharides-emphasizing commercially available and potential exopolysaccharides as well as new applications. Presents the major chemical and physical properties of polysaccharides and derivatives.

This is an exciting stage in the development of organic electronics. It is no longer an area of purely academic interest as increasingly real applications are being developed, some of which are beginning to come on-stream. Areas that have already been commercially developed or which are under intensive development include organic light emitting diodes (for flat panel displays and solid state lighting), organic photovoltaic cells, organic thin film transistors (for smart tags and flat panel displays) and sensors. Within the family of organic electronic materials, liquid crystals are relative newcomers. The first electronically conducting liquid crystals were reported in 1988 but already a substantial literature has developed. The advantage of liquid crystalline semiconductors is that they have the easy processability of amorphous and polymeric semiconductors but they usually have higher charge carrier mobilities. Their mobilities do not reach the levels seen in crystalline organics but they circumvent all of the difficult issues of controlling crystal growth and morphology. Liquid crystals self-organise, they can be aligned by fields and surface forces and, because of their fluid nature, defects in liquid crystal structures readily self-heal. With these matters in mind this is an opportune moment to bring together a volume on the subject of ‘Liquid Crystalline Semiconductors’. The field is already too large to cover in a comprehensive manner so the aim has been to bring together contributions from leading researchers which cover the main areas of the chemistry (synthesis and structure/function relationships), physics (charge transport mechanisms and optical properties) and potential applications in photovoltaics, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). This book will provide a useful introduction to the field for those in both industry and academia and it is hoped that it will help to stimulate future developments.