Mechanical Field Effects on Liquid-Crystalline Networks

3 Mechanical Field Effects on Liquid-Crystalline Networks 

In the isotropic state, as in classical networks, the elastic behavior is governed by 

In liquid-crystalline phases, the introduction of liquid-crystalline order is the decisive factor in the elastic response. The coupling between mechanical properties and mesomorphous order is the main theme of this chapter (for more details, see Chap. V of this Volume). 

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