Executive Summary : | The discovery of the ferroelectric nematic phase has generated interest in the development of next-generation flat panel displays. Ferroelectric and ferromagnetic nematic liquid crystals exhibit unusual physical and electro-optical properties, such as a large response under a weak magnetic field and magnetic viscosity. This project aims to investigate the optical, dielectric, and rheological properties of these new nematic liquid crystals to understand their structure-property correlation and rheological properties. The study will be executed in two phases: focusing on the rheological characteristics of the new ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals and smectic ferroelectric liquid crystals. The goal is to prepare a nematic LC possessing both ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties in the line of multiferroic materials. The combined effect of electric and magnetic fields on such suspensions has potential for new electro-optic and electromagnetic effects in LCs. The research will also focus on the effects of shear on the dielectric relaxations of the goldstone and soft modes in the ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals. |