Objective This proposal requests support for an extension to the HC &M network on molecular organisation in liquid crystals. The existing network consists of 10 laboratories in the EC member states of France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain and the UK, and the multi-disciplinary network has expertise in the areas of chemical synthesis, phase identification and structure determination, molecular design and computer simulation and physical property measurement. Objectives of the network are to design and synthesise new liquid crystalline materials, having new phase symmetries and properties which may be exploited for the technological development of Member States. We have selected six potential collaborators from the countries of C&E Europe and the former SU out of more than 20 requests received. The new Network partners have been chosen for their international reputation, overlapping interests in liquid crystals, and their potential to enhance the original Network programme of research. Additional projects have been identified which will reinforce the major research objectives of the Network. Professor Osipov's group in Moscow will develop a molecular theory of dipolar and chiral interactions in ferroelectric and antiferroelectric liquid crystals, which will provide a basis for new computer modelling, and should also identify new synthetic targets for electroactive liquid crystals. The group in Ivanovo will broaden the research programme of the network to include lyomesophase formation through specific interactions, especially in apolar organic solvents: this work will include both synthesis and phase characterisation. Further theoretical input to the design and synthesis programme on biaxial and dipole-organized phases will come from the group at Krakow, who will develop criteria for the formation of biaxial nematics and non-chiral ferroelectric liquid crystals. Theoretical studies of mixtures will be undertaken by the group from Warsaw University of Technology. An extension to the synthetic programme on magnetic liquid crystals and physical measurement will be provided by the Dr Pyzuk's group from Warsaw University. Research on chiral liquid crystals will also benefit stronqly from the new contributions proposed by the group from Prague, particularly in the area of molecules with high chirality. Programme(s) IC-PECO/COPERNICUS - Scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and European non-member countries, 1992- Topic(s) 0401 - CEEC participation in HUMAN CAPITAL & MOBILITY programme (NETWORKS) Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD EU contribution No data Address Brook Hill S3 7HF Sheffield United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data Participants (3) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Institute of Crystallography - Russian Academy of Sciences Russia EU contribution No data Address 59,Leninskii prospect 117333 Moskva See on map Total cost No data Ivanovo State University Russia EU contribution No data Address 37/7,Ermaka 153025 Ivanovo See on map Total cost No data JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY Poland EU contribution No data Address 4,Reymonta 4 30-069 KRAKOW See on map Total cost No data