| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/N17560/01 |
| Title: |
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTION OF FLEXIBLE 'PLASTIC' CHIRAL LC THERMO- AND ELECTRO-OPTIC DEVICES |
| Principal Investigator: |
Coles, Professor HJ |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Physics and Astronomy |
| Organisation: |
University of Southampton |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 May 2000 |
Ends: |
31 October 2002 |
Value (£): |
215,396
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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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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The driving aim of this project is to provide a comprehensive study of the incorporation of functional chiral liquid crystals in flexible 'plastic' devices produced by roll to roll lamination techniques. The performance of PRE-PROCESSED materials will then be correlated to that exhibited POST-PROCESSING by examining the science of the PROCESSING MECHANISMS 'in situ'. The understanding generated by this study should then lead to the foundation of an industrial base with the chosen partners, i.e. Merck and Dow-Corning (chemicals and polymers), Hallcrest, HP and IBM (all devices and manufacture) . We have identified two main types of functional materials, i) thermally responsive leading to optical sensors, and ii) electrically responsive incorporating electro-active (linear and non-linear) liquid crystals exhibiting flexo, ferro- and antiferro-electric phases as well as dichroic and fluorescent properties. We will consruct a prototype curing/lamination production line suitable for upscaling A4 size devices with on-line analysis. Using the unique chemical, modelling and physical characterisation facilities at Southampton we will carry out basic materials synthesis, examination of the Production Mechanisms and Evaluation of the devices. The partners have been chosen so that all elements of the programmes have a firm industrial base and production facilities in the UK.
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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.soton.ac.uk |