Alignment and Packing Behavior of Liquid Crystals and Liquid Crystalline Polymers and their Effects on Optical and Mechanical Properties.

摘要

The LC MURI has pioneered advances in molecular design and synthesis, LC physics and device technology in liquid crystals ranging from main-chain polymers to LC-based NLO materials. Collaboration among seven universities, as well as DoD and industrial labs, achieved ambitious goals that include comprehensive understanding of the role of chain flexibility in governing the orientational order in the solid state of high performance LC plastics (Northwestern/Caltech/ Cornell/MIT/BP-Amoco/AFRL collaboration) and solving the mechanism of 'V-shaped switching' observed in certain ferroelectric LCs (Colorado/Kent collaboration). Furthermore, interactions under the LC MURI led to important outcomes that were unanticipated at the inception of the center, including the development of materials for high-fidelity 3D microfabrication by 2-photon initiated polymerization (Arizona/Cornell/AFRL collaboration) and the synthesis of new discotic LCs to serve as organic electron conductors for OLED and other applications (Arizona/Colorado/Caltech/Cornell collaboration). Discoveries have been transitioned to DoD labs and industry for technologies including light valves, optical limiters, beam steering devices and information displays.