event
Thursday 26 May 2016: [NEST Seminar] Liquid Crystals: From Molecular and Supramolecular Structures to Novel Devices
Prof. Mamatha Nagaraj - School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds
HAR/170 (3D Visualisation Suite) 12:30-13:30
We are all familiar with the concept of materials as solids, liquids and gases. There is a fourth state of matter that exist between solid and liquid states known as liquid crystalline state. The most familiar application of liquid crystals is the liquid crystal displays or LCDs. Although usually associated with rod and disk-like molecules, liquid crystal phases have been observed for organic molecules with a variety of different and unconventional anisotropic shapes. Amongst these, bent-core mesogens have been considered as one of the most fascinating classes due to their wide range of unique mesophases and unusual physical properties not exhibited in more conventional liquid crystals. Indeed, even the well-known nematic phase formed by bent-core molecule, exhibits distinct physical properties such as enhanced cybotacticity, anomalous elastic constants, and large flexoelectricity and spontaneous deracemization, to name just a few. In this talk, I will outline some amazing complex molecular and supramolecular structures formed by mesogens of unconventional architectures. I will present recent results on unusual electric field-driven transformations seen in the lamellar and 3D mesophases formed by bent-core mesogens and their prospects for a range of novel applications and devices.
