Given the widespread interest in macroscopic phenomena in liquid crystals, stemming from their applications in displays and devices. The need has arisen for a rigorous yet accessible text suitable for graduate students, whatever their scientific background. This book satisfies that need. The approach taken in this text, is to introduce the basic continuum theory for nematic liquid crystals in equilibria, then it proceeds to simple application of this theory- in particular, there is a discussion of electrical and magnetic field effects which give rise to Freedericksz transitions, which are important in devices. This is followed by an account of dynamic theory and elementary viscometry of nemantics Discussions of backflow and flow-induced instabilities are also included. Smetic theory is also briefly introduced and summarised with some examples of equilibrium solutions as well as those with dynamic effects. A number of mathematical techniques, such as Cartesian tensors and some variational calculus, are presented in the appendices.

An unprecedented look into the basic physics, chemistry, and technology behind the LCD Most notably used for computer screens, televisions, and mobile phones, LCDs (liquid crystal displays) are a pervasive and increasingly indispensable part of our lives. Providing both an historical and a business-minded context, this extensive resource describes the unique scientific and engineering techniques used to create these beautiful, clever, and eminently useful devices. In this book, the history of the science and technology behind the LCD is described in a prelude to the development of the device, presenting a rational development theme and pinpointing innovations. The book begins with Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism, and the ultimately profound realization that light is an electromagnetic wave and an electromagnetic wave is light. The power of mathematical physics thus was brought to bear upon the study of light, and particularly the polarization of light by material bodies, including liquid crystals. After a brief historical description of polarization, a physical interpretation provides substance to the mathematical concepts. Subsequent chapters cover: Thermodynamics for liquid crystals The Maier-Saupe mean field, phenomenological, static continuum, and dynamic continuum theories The transistor and integrated circuit Glass, panels, and modules The calculus of variations The active matrix Semiconductor fabrication The global LCD business Additionally, the book illustrates how mathematics, physics, and chemistry are put to practical use in the LCDs we use every day. By describing the science from an historical perspective and in practical terms in the context of a device very familiar to readers, the book presents an engaging and unique view of the technology for everyone from science students to engineers, product designers, and indeed anyone curious about LCDs. Series Editor: Anthony C. Lowe, The Lambent Consultancy, Braishfield, UK The Society for Information Display (SID) is an international society, which has the aim of encouraging the development of all aspects of the field of information display. Complementary to the aims of the society, the Wiley-SID series is intended to explain the latest developments in information display technology at a professional level. The broad scope of the series addresses all facets of information displays from technical aspects through systems and prototypes to standards and ergonomics.

Given the widespread interest in macroscopic phenomena in liquid crystals, stemming from their applications in displays and devices. The need has arisen for a rigorous yet accessible text suitable for graduate students, whatever their scientific background. This book satisfies that need. The approach taken in this text, is to introduce the basic continuum theory for nematic liquid crystals in equilibria, then it proceeds to simple application of this theory- in particular, there is a discussion of electrical and magnetic field effects which give rise to Freedericksz transitions, which are important in devices. This is followed by an account of dynamic theory and elementary viscometry of nemantics Discussions of backflow and flow-induced instabilities are also included. Smetic theory is also briefly introduced and summarised with some examples of equilibrium solutions as well as those with dynamic effects. A number of mathematical techniques, such as Cartesian tensors and some variational calculus, are presented in the appendices.

This handbook is a unique compendium of knowledge on all aspects of the physics of liquid crystals. In over 500 pages it provides detailed information on the physical properties of liquid crystals as well as the recent theories and results on phase transitions, defects and textures of different types of liquid crystals. An in-depth understanding of the physical fundamentals is a prerequisite for everyone working in the field of liquid crystal research. With this book the experts as well as graduate students entering the field get all the information they need.

In the nematic liquid crystal phase, rod-shaped molecules move randomly but remain essentially parallel to one another. Biaxial nematics, which were first predicted in 1970 by Marvin Freiser, have their molecules differentially oriented along two axes. They have the potential to create displays with fast switching times and may have applications in thin-film displays and other liquid crystal technologies. This book is the first to be concerned solely with biaxial nematic liquid crystals, both lyotropic and thermotropic, formed by low molar mass as well as polymeric systems. It opens with a general introduction to the biaxial nematic phase and covers: • Order parameters and distribution functions • Molecular field theory • Theories for hard biaxial particles • Computer simulation of biaxial nematics • Alignment of the phase • Display applications • Characterisation and identification • Lyotropic, thermotropic and colloidal systems together with material design With a consistent, coherent and pedagogical approach, this book brings together theory, simulations and experimental studies; it includes contributions from some of the leading figures in the field. It is relevant to students and researchers as well as to industry professionals working in soft matter, liquid crystals, liquid crystal devices and their applications throughout materials science, chemistry, physics, mathematics and display engineering.

This volume highlights contributions of women mathematicians in the study of complex materials and includes both original research papers and reviews. The featured topics and methods draw on the fields of Calculus of Variations, Partial Differential Equations, Functional Analysis, Differential Geometry and Topology, as well as Numerical Analysis and Mathematical Modelling. Areas of applications include foams, fluid-solid interactions, liquid crystals, shape-memory alloys, magnetic suspensions, failure in solids, plasticity, viscoelasticity, homogenization, crystallization, grain growth, and phase-field models.

The main objective of continuum mechanics is to predict the response of a body that is under the action of external and/or internal influences, i.e. to capture and describe different mechanisms associated with the motion of a body that is under the action of loading. A body in continuum mechanics is considered to be matter continuously distributed in space. Hence, no attention is given to the microscopic (atomic) structure of real materials although non-classical generalized theories of continuum mechanics are able to deal with the mesoscopic structure of matter (i.e. defects, cracks, dispersive lengths, ...). Matter occupies space in time and the response of a body in continuum mechanics is restricted to the Newtonian space-time of classical mechanics in this volume. Einstein’s theory of relativity is not considered. In the classical sense, loading is considered as any action that changes the motion of the body. This includes, for instance, a change in temperature or a force applied. By introducing the concept of configurational forces a load may also be considered as a force that drives a change in the material space, for example the opening of a crack. Continuum mechanics refers to field descriptions of phenomena that are usually modeled by partial differential equations and, from a mathematical point of view, require non-standard knowledge of non-simple technicalities. One purpose in this volume has been to present the different subjects in a self-contained way for a general audience. The organization of the volume is as follows. Mathematically, to predict the response of a body it is necessary to formulate boundary value problems governed by balance laws. The theme of the volume, that is an overview of the subject, has been written with this idea in mind for beginners in the topic. Chapter 1 is an introduction to continuum mechanics based on a one-dimensional framework in which, simultaneously, a more detailed organization of the chapters of this volume is given. A one-dimensional approach to continuum mechanics in some aspects maybe misleading since the analysis is oversimplified. Nevertheless, it allows us to introduce the subject through the early basic steps of the continuum analysis for a general audience. Chapters 3, 4 and 5 are devoted to the mathematical setting of continuum analysis: kinematics, balance laws and thermodynamics, respectively. Chapters 6 and 7 are devoted to constitutive equations. Chapters 8 and 9 deal with different issues in the context of linear elastostatics and linear elastodynamics and waves, respectively, for solids. Linear Elasticity is a classical and central theory of continuum mechanics. Chapter 10 deals with fluids while chapter 11 analyzes the coupled theory of thermoelasticity. Chapter 12 deals with nonlinear elasticity and its role in the continuum framework. Chapters 13 and 14 are dedicated to different applications of solid and fluid mechanics, respectively. The rest of the chapters involve some advanced topics. Chapter 15 is dedicated to turbulence, one of the main challenges in fluid mechanics. Chapter 16 deals with electro-magneto active materials (a coupled theory). Chapter 17 deals with specific ideas of soft matter and chapter 18 deals with configurational forces. In chapter 19, constitutive equations are introduced in a general (implicit) form. Well-posedness (existence, time of existence, uniqueness, continuity) of the equations of the mechanics of continua is an important topic which involves sophisticated mathematical machinery. Chapter 20 presents different analyses related to these topics. Continuum Mechanics is an interdisciplinary subject that attracts the attention of engineers, mathematicians, physicists, etc., working in many different disciplines from a purely scientific environment to industrial applications including biology, materials science, engineering, and many other subjects.

This eBook is a collection of articles from a Frontiers Research Topic. Frontiers Research Topics are very popular trademarks of the Frontiers Journals Series: they are collections of at least ten articles, all centered on a particular subject. With their unique mix of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Frontiers Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author by contacting the Frontiers Editorial Office: frontiersin.org/about/contact.

This book focuses on the development of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and liquid crystal materials (LCs) in Japan. The Committee of Organic Materials Research for Information Sciences of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) planned the book to document essential LCD innovations and developments since the beginnings of the field-effect LCD technology in 1970. The book illustrates the remarkable effort and progress behind those flat, lightweight, and high-information-content LCDs that have become the indispensable human–machine interface for virtually all electronic devices. In contrast to other publications on this topic, the book illustrates the interdisciplinary character of the LCD technology and its crucial importance for technological progress of the field far beyond displays. It also gives insights into breakthrough innovations not revealed in other publications. Moreover, prospects for the development of LC research toward new fields of applications are provided. In line with its interdisciplinary character, the book targets researchers in basic science as well as engineers and researchers in industry.