Collaborative Research: Liquid Crystal Anchoring and its Dependence on Interfacial Nano-Structure

非技术摘要：无处不在的液晶显示器（LCD）是平板计算机显示器、高清晰度电视和手持电子设备的核心，它依赖于控制细长液晶（LC）分子在面板的两个玻璃板（基板）之间取向的能力。用于控制分子取向的最常见方法之一是机械摩擦基材的聚合物涂覆的内表面。在三十年的时间里，这门艺术在经验上已经发展到近乎完美的地步。然而，液晶分子排列的微观机制仍然是一个谜。这个项目的目的是系统地研究表面化学和纳米级形态在液晶排列中的作用。国家的最先进的实验技术，如高分辨率同步辐射X射线反射率，原子力显微镜，荧光共聚焦显微镜将被用来表征对齐表面的性质和方法，使它们更有效。该项目的研究成果对液晶科学技术的发展具有重要的参考价值。在这个合作项目下，本科生和研究生以及博士后学者将接受培训，使用先进的实验工具来解决一个重要的科学问题。涉及当地初中和高中的推广工作将旨在激发年轻学生对科学的热情。这项研究的结果将通过同行publications.Technical Abstract传达给科学界和工业界：纳米尺度的界面结构和表面能量学管理的各种现象的行为不同的润湿，粘附，液晶（LC）的排列。对液晶在基板表面上的取向的良好理解对于它们在平板显示器中的使用至关重要。一个很好的了解LC-表面相互作用及其关系的化学性质/结构一直严重缺乏。拟议的研究的主要目标是获得一个很好的定量了解的作用，界面纳米结构和化学性质的界面和液晶在模型的有机和无机表面。这个项目将集中在表面驱动的现象，有他们的起源在有机材料和液晶界面的纳米级组织。高分辨率掠入射X射线衍射和反射率，荧光共聚焦显微镜，和电光测量的实验技术将被用来探测感兴趣的界面处的纳米级结构和结构转变。在这个合作项目下，本科生和研究生以及博士后学者将接受使用先进实验工具的培训，以解决一个重要问题。涉及当地初中和高中的推广工作将旨在激发年轻学生对科学的热情。这项研究的结果将通过同行出版物传达给科学界和工业界。

Non-Technical Abstract:The ubiquitous liquid crystal displays (LCDs), which form the core of flat panel computer displays, high definition TVs, and handheld electronic devices rely on the ability to control how the elongated liquid crystal (LC) molecules are oriented between the two glass plates (substrates) of the panel. One of the most common process used to control molecular orientation is to mechanically rub a polymer coated internal surface of the substrates. Over a period of three decades, this art has empirically evolved to the point of almost perfection. However, the microscopic mechanism that underlies the alignment of LC molecules still remains a mystery. This project is designed to systematically investigate the role of surface chemistry and nanoscale morphology in LC alignment. State-of-the-art experimental techniques such as high-resolution synchrotron x-ray reflectivity, atomic force microscopy, and fluorescence confocal microscopy will be employed to characterize the nature of aligning surfaces and methods to render them more effective. The results of this project will be extremely valuable to the science and technology of liquid crystals. Under this collaborative project, undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral scholars will be trained in the use of advanced experimental tools to address an important scientific problem. Outreach efforts involving local middle and high schools will be designed to incite enthusiasm for science among young pupil. The results of this study will be communicated to the scientific community and industry through peer publications.Technical Abstract:Nanoscale interfacial structure and surface energetics govern the behavior of a variety of phenomena as diverse as wetting, adhesion, and liquid crystal (LC) alignment. Good understanding of LC alignment on substrate surface is critical for their use in flat panel displays. A good understanding of LC-surface interactions and their relation to the chemical nature/structure has been seriously lacking. The main goal of the proposed research is to gain a good quantitative understanding of the role of interfacial nano-structure and the chemical nature of the interfaces and LCs at model organic and inorganic surfaces. This project will focus on surface driven phenomena that have their origins in the nanoscale organization at the interface of the organic material and the liquid crystal. Experimental techniques of high-resolution glancing incidence x-ray diffraction and reflectivity, fluorescence confocal microscopy, and electrooptical measurements will be employed to probe the nanoscale structure and structural transitions at the interfaces of interest. Under this collaborative project, undergraduate and graduate students as well as postdoctoral scholars will be trained in the use of advanced experimental tools to address an important problem. Outreach efforts involving local middle and high schools will be designed to incite enthusiasm for science among young pupil. The results of this study will be communicated to the scientific community and industry through peer publications.