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

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.

The discovery of the spatial structure of the double-stranded DNA molecule is one of the greatest achievements of science. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the DNA double helix is a distinguished symbol of modern biology. Divided into three parts, DNA Liquid-Crystalline Dispersions and Nanoconstructions covers the information presently a

Flexible Flat Panel Displays A complete treatment of the entire lifecycle of flexible flat panel displays, from raw material selection to commercialization In the newly revised Second Edition of Flexible Flat Panel Displays, a distinguished team of researchers delivers a completely restructured and comprehensive treatment of the field of flexible flat panel displays. With material covering the end-to-end process that includes commercial and technical aspects of the technology, the editors have included contributions that introduce the business, marketing, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property content relevant to flexible flat panel displays. This edited volume contains a brand-new section on case studies using the Harvard Business School format that discusses current and emerging markets in flexible displays, such as an examination of the use of electronic ink and QD Vision in commercial devices. From raw material selection to device prototyping, manufacturing, and commercialization, each stage of the flexible display business is discussed in this insightful new edition. The book also includes: Thorough introductions to engineered films for display technology and liquid crystal optical coatings for flexible displays Comprehensive explorations of organic TFT foils, metallic nanowires, adhesives, and self-healing polymer substrates Practical discussions of flexible glass, AMOLEDs, cholesteric displays, and electronic paper In-depth examinations of the encapsulation of flexible displays, flexible batteries, flexible flat panel photodetectors, and flexible touch screens Perfect for professionals working in the field of display technology with backgrounds in science and engineering, Flexible Flat Panel Displays is also an indispensable resource for professionals with marketing, sales, and technology backgrounds, as well as senior undergraduates and graduate students in engineering and materials science.

Liquid Crystal Sensors discusses novel applications of liquid crystals that lie beyond electrically driven optical switches and displays. The main focus is on recent progress in the area of sensors based on low molar mass and polymer liquid crystals. This area of research became "hot" in recent years since the possibilities for applications of liquid crystal sensors are growing in many areas, ranging from the detection of mechanical displacements to the detection of environmental pollutants and chemical agents. This book is well-suited for students, as well as scientists from different backgrounds. For students and researchers new to the field, it gives a thorough introduction. For experienced researchers it shows the latest breakthroughs and serves as an inspiration for solving problems or sparking new ideas. Key Features: Emphasizes how liquid crystals are extremely sensitive to external stimuli and therefore can be used for the construction of stimuli-responsive devices, such as sensors Includes the contributions of editors who are deeply involved in the field and author chapters on hot topics such as the sensitivity of liquid crystals to pollutants, UV light, and strain Provides an exclusive on LC sensors where having the data in one place will be very useful to the community Gives more information on sensors and broadens the scope by having a contributed volume rather than authored Combines recent data on advances in the area of liquid crystal sensors that includes many types of liquid crystal materials

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Liquid Crystals" that was published in Materials

Describing all aspects of polymer-dispersed and polymer-stabilized liquid crystals, this book is a must-have resource for practitioners in the area.

Preparation of Liquid Crystalline Elastomers, by F. Brömmel, D. Kramer, H. Finkelmann Applications of Liquid Crystalline Elastomers, by C. Ohm, M. Brehmer und R. Zentel Liquid Crystal Elastomers and Light, by Peter Palffy-Muhoray Electro-Opto-Mechanical Effects in Swollen Nematic Elastomers, by Kenji Urayama The Isotropic-to-Nematic Conversion in Liquid Crystalline Elastomers, by Andrija Lebar, George Cordoyiannis, Zdravko Kutnjak und Bostjan Zalar Order and Disorder in Liquid-Crystalline Elastomers, by Wim H. de Jeu und Boris I. Ostrovskii

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.