Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/A11229/01
Title:	APPLIED THEORETICAL STUDIES OF LIQUID CRYSTALLINE MATE RIALS
Principal Investigator:	Mottram, Professor NJ
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Mathematics and Statistics
Organisation:	University of Strathclyde
Scheme:	Advanced Fellowship (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 September 2001	Ends:	31 August 2006	Value (£):	205,541
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Materials Characterisation
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Related Grants:
Panel History:	Panel Date Panel Name Outcome 15 Jan 2001 Materials Advanced Fellowships Interview Panel Deferred 11 Dec 2000 Materials Fellowships Sift Panel Deferred
Summary on Grant Application Form
The intention of the proposed research is to develop realistic mathematical models of nematic, smectic and nematic/polymer systems which may then be used to model the behaviour of such materials in optical devices. The inherent structure within nematic and smectic liquid crystal materials is key to their use in displays. It is this orientational and positional order which enables the liquid crystal to be deformed by applying an electric field and, with the aid of certain optical elements such as polarizers, switch from a dark state to a light state. While theoretical models of such liquid crystalline materials have existed for many years, there is now a need to extend these models in order to describe and investigate recent experimentally observed behaviour such as bistability, flexoelectricity and surface polarization, and novel display devices involving defects and polymer networks.The research described in this proposal can be split into three main areas: Bistable, flexoelectrically-driven nematic displays; Development and applications of dynanuc flow equations for ferroelectric displays; Behaviour of nematic/polymer mixtures under the influence of an electric field. All three areas of research will benefit from close collaboration with experimentalists and technologists. The main aims are to develop mathematical models which can model real display devices, explain experimentally observed phenomena, optimise current device configurations and ultimately lead to new possibilities in which such materials can be exploited for optical devices and other applications. In this way it is hoped that clear insight can be obtained into the fundamental processes involved and the potential applications of these materials and thus maintain the UK's world leading position in liquid crystal device research.The research described in this proposal can be split into three main areas: Bistable, flexoelectrically-driven nematic displays; Development and applications of dynanuc flow equations for ferroelectric displays; Behaviour of nematic/polymer mixtures under the influence of an electric field. All three areas of research will benefit from close collaboration with experimentalists and technologists. The main aims are to develop mathematical models which can model real display devices, explain experimentally observed phenomena, optimise current device configurations and ultimately lead to new possibilities in which such materials can be exploited for optical devices and other applications. In this way it is hoped that clear insight can be obtained into the fundamental processes involved and the potential applications of these materials and thus maintain the UK's world leading position in liquid crystal device research.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.strath.ac.uk