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The University of Southampton
Mathematical Sciences

Applied Seminar - Self-assmbling liquid crystal polymers, Professor Helen F. Gleeson (University of Leeds) Seminar

Applied seminar
Time:
12:00 - 13:00
Date:
5 December 2017
Venue:
Room 4001, Ketley Room, Building 54, Mathematical Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, SO17 1BJ

For more information regarding this seminar, please email Philip Greulich at P.Greulich@southampton.ac.uk .

Event details

Liquid crystals are well-known for their uses in the display industry where their functionality and responsiveness allows them to be used as simple electro-optic switches. Liquid crystal polymers are less well-known, though they are also widespread, with Kevlar being perhaps the most readily identifiable. In fact, self-organised structures with liquid crystal properties have exciting properties. This talk discusses two new phenomena. Firstly, a polymer that forms without any kind of chemical reaction, based on two very simple molecules. The structure is completely thermally reversible and is reminiscent of some of the fascinating structures that form in nature. The second system that will be discussed is a liquid crystal elastomer. Such materials have generated considerable excitement over the last twenty years or so. We have discovered a new, remarkable property that can be exhibited in some cases, molecular auxetic behaviour. This means that the self-assembled structure actually gets thicker under some circumstances when stretched! This new property could be the first example of a molecular auxetic material, adding yet another functionality to liquid crystals.

Speaker information

Professor Helen F. Gleeson, University of Leeds. My research has always involved liquid crystals and in addition to carrying out fundamental studies of the physics of these materials, I have invented several novel applications, most recently switchable contact lenses. I have published >150 papers and given >300 conference presentations. I have been awarded the British Liquid Crystal Society Hilsum and GW Gray Medals (2006 & 2013) and the 2012 Holweck Prize and Medal of the Institute of Physics and Société Française de Physique for my research. I was awarded an OBE for Services to Science in 2009, recognising my work in outreach, in particular encouraging women to study physics.

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