SEMINAR

Characterization of Liquid Crystal and Polymer Dispersions

Department of Physics and Astronomy
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi

ABSTRACT

The morphology of PDLC materials depend on concentration, viscosity, curing temperature, mechanism of phase separation, sample thickness, and gravitational effects. PDLC materials are fabricated using Polymerization Induced Phase Separation (PIPS), Solvent Induced Phase Separation (SIPS) and Thermally Induced Phase Separation (TIPS). Polymer dispersed liquid crystals, sometimes known as liquid crystal and polymer dispersions, are promising new materials for spatial light modulators in projection display systems, vision products, optical interconnects for non-destructive testing applications, optical data storage, tunable reflective displays, dynamically variable lenses, fiber optic switches, and attenuation of high intensity laser radiation. The microstructure of PDLC materials range from liquid crystal droplets dispersed in the solid polymer matrix, the "Swiss cheese" morphology, to a polymeric membrane suspended in the liquid crystal solvent. The presentation will discuss the characterization of PDLC materials and highlight the areas where numerical simulations are advantageous.

WHERE: TEC 340

WHEN(day): Friday, April 3rd, 1998

WHEN(time): 2:00

EVERYBODY IS INVITED