Cross-Linked Liquid Crystalline Systems

The book covers:

* Cross-linked networks created from reactive mesogen materials

* Manipulation of liquid crystalline by external constraints

* Advances in liquid crystal display screen technology

* Physical and electromagnetic properties of elastomers and magnetic gels

* Computer simulations and theory of liquid crystal polymeric networks and elastomers

* Side-on nematic liquid-crystalline elastomers for artificial muscle applications

Liquid crystal display technology has driven much of the fundamental research in crosslinked liquid crystalline systems. The systems’ ability to enforce three-dimensional structure in the molecular order and capture it created a number of compelling application possibilities because it provided necessary control of the molecular order. This book advances the understanding of basic science behind these systems, accelerates some of the proposed applications to the marketplace, and hopes to inspire generations of scientists to think broadly about these exciting and useful materials.