Fluid Phases of Bent-Core Molecules - Novel Physics and Applications

弯核分子的流体相 - 新颖的物理和应用

• 批准号: 0606160
• 负责人: Samuel Sprunt
• 金额: $ 53.61万
• 依托单位: Kent State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2006-07-01 至 2010-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0606160&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Fluid; Phases; Bent; Core; Molecules

Technical AbstractThis collaborative effort will investigate the structure and properties of novel bent-corenematics (BCNs) with a view toward new materials for electro-mechanical applications using nematic liquid crystals. The specific research objectives and scientific benefits of the project are to confirm the existence of predicted new states of matter composed of clusters of bent-core liquid crystal molecules, to study the origins and the limits of unexpected large coupling between electric polarization and mechanical distortion, including electromechanical effects and electrohydrodynamic instabilities, and to develop using molecular design new responsive and tunable rubbery polymers built up from ordered, bent-core molecules. Non-technical AbstractThis project offers the promise of significant advances in technological applications of liquid crystals. Two examples are low-cost, wearable (or potentially bio-implantable) electric generators based on enhanced flexoelectricity in BCN elastomers, and polar electro-optical switches with the processing advantages of a fluid (nematic) phase. Extensive industrial partnerships with the Liquid Crystal Institute at Kent State University will assure a high probability for knowledge transfer to industry that should ultimately provide significant benefits to the U.S. economy. The education projects have a unique emphasis on training doctoral students to be effective technical personnel in an entrepreneurial environment and to successfully address the complexities of intellectual property are critical. Undergraduates from small colleges and traditionally under-represented schools in Ohio will be introduced to cutting-edge research over periods of up to 10 weeks during either the academic year or summer. These students will have full access to the research projects and to available facilities, and they will interact closely with the graduate students. Providing opportunities for American undergraduate students to be intimately involved in the type of cutting-edge research proposed here is one of the main factors in convincing young people to pursue a career in the sciences.

技术摘要本合作项目将研究新型液晶-核壳（BCN）的结构和性能，以期为使用液晶的机电应用提供新材料。该项目的具体研究目标和科学效益是：证实由双核液晶分子簇组成的预测新物质状态的存在，研究电极化和机械变形之间意外大耦合的起源和限制，包括机电效应和电流体动力学不稳定性，并利用分子设计开发由有序的双核分子组成的新型响应性和可调橡胶聚合物。非技术摘要本项目提供了液晶技术应用的重大进展的承诺。两个例子是基于BCN弹性体中增强的挠曲电的低成本、可穿戴（或潜在的生物可植入）发电机，以及具有流体（微流体）相的处理优势的极性电光开关。与肯特州立大学的液晶研究所建立广泛的工业伙伴关系，将确保向工业转移知识的高可能性，最终将为美国经济带来重大利益。教育项目有一个独特的重点，即培养博士生成为创业环境中的有效技术人员，并成功地解决知识产权的复杂性至关重要。来自俄亥俄州的小型学院和传统上代表性不足的学校的本科生将在学年或夏季长达10周的时间内被介绍给尖端研究。这些学生将有充分的机会获得研究项目和可用的设施，他们将与研究生密切互动。为美国本科生提供机会，让他们密切参与这里提出的尖端研究，是说服年轻人从事科学事业的主要因素之一。