EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R20939/01
Title: Experimentally Testing Dynamic Theories of Liquid Crystals
Principal Investigator: Sambles, Professor Sir JR
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Hewlett Packard Inc Sharp Laboratories of Europe Ltd
Department: Physics
Organisation: University of Exeter
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 February 2001 Ends: 31 January 2003 Value (£): 124,706
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Condensed Matter Physics Materials Characterisation
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Electronics
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
It has long been established that back-flow plays an important role in the behaviour of the dynamics of nematic liquid crystal devices. While the theory has been accepted for many years there have been no really stringent tests of its validity. This proposal seeks funding to allow this testing. By using our recently developed convergent beam waveguiding techniques we are able to probe the detailed director structure inside nematic cells during switching. At the present time we have a time resolution of about 50 microseconds which is sufficient for most nematic processes except possibly for pi cells. Having now established this immensely powerful technique we wish to go on to utilise it in fundamental tests of liquid crystal dynamical theory and also to establish values for a range of viscosity coefficients. This proposal is specifically to fund a postdoctoral researcher. Nathan Smith, who has been primarily responsible, as a postgraduate, for the successful implementation of the new technique.Most of the cells to be studied will be fabricated at Exeter although other interested parties, including Sharp, Hewlett-Packard and DERA (Malvern) may wish to provide test cells for study.
Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.ex.ac.uk