Fundamentals of liquid crystals
Discotic liquid crystals have unique electronic properties and can be used in photovoltaics (solar panels) as well as organic light emitting diodes. Thus, a fundamental understanding of these crystals can lead to advances in associated technology. The DISCO (Substrate-induced phases of discotic liquid crystals) initiative investigated the physical and chemical parameters that control the formation of substrate-induced phases of discotic liquid crystal thin films. Scientists included theoretical as well as experimental investigations in their study. Researchers investigated the substrate-induced phase with respect to time, temperature and interface changes. They determined that the substrate-induced forms are independent of film thickness, but dependent on film age. Scientists observed a unique phenomenon in which the 2D liquid-crystalline phase converted to a 3D crystal-plastic phase. They determined that the presence of solid interfaces induced this phase change. This research may have bearing on a wide range of fields such as the pharmaceutical, food and electronics industries.
Keywords
Discotic liquid crystals, photovoltaics, light emitting diodes, substrate-induced phases, thin films
