New Developments in Liquid Crystals &; Applications

Many fascinating applications of liquid crystals -- a material that possesses behaviour in between the crystalline solid and the liquid phases -- have been reported by the RandD workers. These materials exhibit amazing features that make them indispensable for versatile usage. Liquid crystal based flat display panels are now found in mass volume in use as television and computer monitors. Apart from this, liquid crystals can be used in sensing and communication systems. The aim of this book is three-fold: (i) to make the expert researchers aware of the advancements in several areas of liquid crystal technology, (ii) to fuel the novice researchers interest through varieties of research directions, and (iii) to give a glimpse of the merged ideas to multi-disciplinary researchers for conceptual development of novel devices. Starting from the introduction of liquid crystals, this book covers topics ranging from nanoparticle synthesis to their varieties and physical and chemical properties along with their possible optics and electronics oriented applications. These include chemical bonding in liquid crystals, the use of liquid crystals in nanoparticle synthesis, the effects of liquid crystals on the thermal isomerisation of azoderivatives, sensing organosulphur compounds by liquid crystal supported chemically functionalised surfaces, electro-optic behaviour of liquid crystals and their applications in dynamic holographic correctors, optics of chiral liquid crystals, electromagnetic behaviour of liquid crystal based optical fibres and applications in 3D electronic displays. These topics are presented in nine chapters written by expert scientists in their respective areas of research in liquid crystals. Some of the chapters are devoted to the physics and chemistry of liquid crystals, and some touch upon their interesting applications. It is expected that the book will be of immense use for novice, expert and multi-disciplinary researchers in universities and research institutions.