CAREER - Random Disorder in Phase Transitions of Complex Fluids

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This project aims to study the nature of ordering (or disordering) interactions occuring at the interface between liquid crystals and polymeric surfaces. It will involve a systematic survey of modified phase transitions of liquid crystals and mesogenic polymers to understand the influence of the perturbations caused by the non-mesogenic material in the form of confining porous media or as colloidal dispersions. The role of topology or randomness connected with these perturbations will be studied, and the influence of randomness and boundary conditions with induced elastic deformation will be addressed. Given the experimental challenges of this project, new spectroscopic tools needed to advance calorimetric techniques necessary for studying the wide range of systems under investigation will be developed. Liquid crystal materials are important to practical applications areas that include optical displays and switches for communications, and biomedical areas such as the development of new materials classes for drug delivery. Students trained in these areas are likely to be highly competitive in future job markets.