Recent Advances in Liquid Crystals

Dear Colleagues,

Liquid crystals represent the fourth state of matter, being intermediate between the solid and liquid states. They are anisotropic fluids that flow like a liquid but maintain some of the ordered structure of crystals. Liquid crystals were first identified in the mid-to-late 18th century. The interest in both applied and academic topics in liquid crystals has been substantial. One of the best parts of the subject is the characterization of the different liquid crystal mesophases as the main technique, polarized optical microscopy. Liquid crystal molecules tend to be elongated and to orient in specific directions. As the phases are anisotropic, they are birefringent between crossed analyzer and polarizer. Liquid crystals have become an integral part of our commercial electronics world, and liquid crystal displays are a key part of most mobile, battery-powered electronic devices. The optical properties of liquid crystals depend on the direction light travels through a layer of the material. An electric field can change the orientation of molecules in a layer of liquid crystal and thus affect its optical properties. Such a process is termed as the electro-optical effect, and it forms the basis for liquid crystal displays. Liquid crystal materials that align either parallel or perpendicular to an applied field can be selected to suit particular applications. The small electric voltages necessary to orient liquid crystal molecules have been a key feature of the commercial success of liquid crystal displays.

The Special Issue will focus on a wide range of materials, including thermotropic, lyotropic, interfacial, chiral, ferroelectric, polymer, micro/nanocomposite, biological and related soft-matter liquid crystal systems. Additionally, it will explore techniques and challenges for liquid crystal physics, liquid crystal chemistry, liquid crystal optics, liquid crystal photonics, liquid crystal materials and devices, photo-aligning techniques for liquid crystals, micro/nanostructures of liquid crystals, 3D liquid crystal display, as well as flexible liquid crystal displays. It is intended that both extant and novel methods will be covered, ranging from traditional techniques to methods involving non-traditional technologies. The goal is to facilitate the dissemination of information on methods and outcomes that will benefit the broader community involved in the control of liquid crystals.

Dr. Jiatong Sun
Dr. Xiaoqian Wang
Topic Editors