3D-ordered mesophase

The present research and development on LC display technology is conducted primarily in industrial labs. Academic research focuses mainly on more exciting and explorative topics that can not only stimulate fundamental scientific interest, but offer tremendous potential for innovative applications beyond the realm of displays, for example, new materials and attractive properties, and new uses in optics, nano/micromanipulation, novel composites, and biotechnology [7]. Future applications depend on the increase of complexity and functionality in LC materials and phases. The past three decades have seen the discovery of complex LC molecules with a variety of new shapes for instance, disc shape (Fig. 6.1b) [8], bent-core shape (Fig. 6.1c) [9], H shape (Fig. 6.1d) [10-13], board shape (Fig. 6.1e) [14,15], T shape (Fig. 6.1f) [16], cone shape (Fig. 6.1g) [17], and semicircular shape (Fig. 6.1h) [18]. The shapes of the molecules are not exactly associated with the types of mesophases formed. Like rod-shaped molecules, each complex shape is likely to organize a nematic, Sm, Col, and 3D-ordered mesophases [19,20]. The incorporation of functionality, amphiphilicity, and nano-segregation into these molecular shapes offers different ways to increase the complexity of LC phases. 

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