Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/J04265/01
Title:	MECHANICALLY INDUCED PHENOMENA IN LIQUID CRYSTAL ELASTOMERS.
Principal Investigator:	Davis, Dr FJ
Other Investigators:	Warner, Dr M
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Chemistry
Organisation:	University of Reading
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	19 October 1993	Ends:	18 April 1996	Value (£):	101,640
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Materials Synthesis & Growth
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
This programme focuses on the development of liquid crystal elastomers which exhibit useful liquid crystal phases at room temperature. These new liquid crystal elastomers will be prepared through copolymerization and careful selection of the mesogenic monomers. We shall study the mechanical properties of such materials in particular the novel strain dependence modulus which offers the prospect of a molecular shock absorber. We shall prepare chiral nematic liquid crystal elastomers and evaluate the newly discovered piezoelectric response. Liquid crystal elastomers offer the possibility of self-supporting electro-optic films and these properties will be assessed. With the availability of ambient liquid crystal elastomers the prospect of useful technological properties from these scientifically fascinating systems is close to realisation.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.rdg.ac.uk