Molecular structures, properties and packing

After perusing the classification in the previous section, one can ask It looks fine, but why do we need such a classification Actually, I started the development of this classification at about the same time I started to work on PLCs, simply so as not to get lost in all these structures. Analyzing the structures, I discovered another good reason molecular structures of PLCs determine their phase structures and properties. This important fact is also illustrated throughout this book hence there are separate chapters on longitudinal and on comb PLCs. Other authors have reached similar conclusions from their particular results. For instance, Ebert et aO say that In most liquid-crystalline systems it is predominantly the molecular shape which determines which kind of liquid-crystalline phase is formed.  

In the present section I shall provide just one example of the statement just made. Consider the viscosities of two of the classes defined above. For 

Computer simulations of PLC systems subjected to external mechanical forces using the method of molecular dynamics, show how mechanical properties are also affected by LC molecular shapes and packing. Simulation results turn out to be important for conducting intelligent processing. 

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