| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R45727/01 |
| Title: |
COMPUTER SIMULATIONS OF LIQUID CRYSTALS |
| Principal Investigator: |
Camp, Professor PJ |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Chemistry |
| Organisation: |
University of Edinburgh |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 October 2001 |
Ends: |
30 November 2004 |
Value (£): |
64,511
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Electronics |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Ferroelectic liquid crystals are of enormous academic and industrial interest due to the variety of structures and electro-optical properties which they can exhibit. Despite being exploited in such as applications as displays and optical switches, relatively little is known about the detailed connection between the properties of the constituent molecules and the stability of ferroelectric and/or antiferroelectric liquid crystals.To this end, we propose to carry out Monte Carlo computer simulations of liquid crystals made up model polar bent-core molecules, with and without flexible tails . The phase diagrams of the model molecules will be surveyed as a function of the molecular parameters, which include the molecular shape, the length of the flexible tails, and the size of the molecular dipole moment. Particular attention will be paid to the formation of spontaneous ferroelectric or antiferroelectric order. In addition, the mechanical response of the liquid crystal to an applied electric field (flexoelectricity) will be simulated for a range of molecular parameters.This research will assist in the directed design of new materials for specific electro-optical applications, as well as contribute to a fundamental understanding of the link between the microscopic and macroscopic properties of liquid crystals.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.ed.ac.uk |