Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/R58000/01
Title:	LIQUID CRYSTALLINE ELASTOMERS AS FUNCTIONAL DAMPING MATERIALS
Principal Investigator:	Terentjev, Professor E
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Physics
Organisation:	University of Cambridge
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	25 February 2002	Ends:	24 February 2004	Value (£):	134,464
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Aerodynamics Eng. Dynamics & Tribology Materials Characterisation Materials Synthesis & Growth Numerical Analysis
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Aerospace, Defence and Marine Manufacturing
Related Grants:	GR/R58017/01
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
To date, the main approach to damping using polymeric materials has been fundamentally based on the mechanical dissipation in a polymeric material undergoing a glass transition, exploiting the so-called loss peak. In a previous pilot project (GR/M29382) we have identified that LIQUID CRYSTAL ELASTOMERS (LCEs) may be ideal candidates for damping applications due to a remarkably high mechanical loss caused by a new physical effect of dynamic soft elasticity - the internal relaxation of nematic director modes. A significant amount of basic research is needed before any applications can be realised and this research proposal focuses on fundamental issues of viscoelasticity and rheology in elastomers with microstructure (local orientational order), combining new material synthesis, characterisation of properties and dynamic-mechanical response, and theoretical/modelling work. We aim to develop these new materials to a stage when practical applications are viable and where LCE-damping materials provide clear advantages over the more common approaches to damping technologies which utilise traditional viscoelastic materials. The practical benefits accruing from this research relate to the fact that incorporating damping materials at the design stage into components subjected to noise and vibration is now recognised as a cost effective approach in order to avoid mainstream premature failure. In particular, the aerospace and automotive industries are continuously searching for better damping materials that provide differential advantage over the traditional materials. This research work offers the potential to achieve improved damping performance through the understanding and development of LCE as advanced energy dissipative materials. Please note that we have not Included any Industrial letters of support/collaborators due to the fundamental nature of the research. However, discussions have taken place with three companies (DERA, RR, Rioter) who have expressed an interest In this work.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.cam.ac.uk