This Consortium
has been formed from a group of internationally renowned liquid
crystal modelling experts within the UK, in response to the
recent EPSRC call for proposals aimed at Materials Modelling
Consortia. A initial request for funding of the projects outlined
on this web-site has now been submitted. The proposed Consortium
aims to establish the UK at the international forefront of
multi-scale predictive liquid crystal device modelling, from
atom to application.
Although many collaborations between researchers have previously
existed, this Consortium represents a concerted effort to
combine different modelling skills in order to tackle a number
of key industrial issues affecting the development and optimisation
of the use of new functional materials in emerging display
and telecommunication
applications.
Prediction of macroscopic
properties of mixtures, i.e. mechanical, electrostatic
and optical, from an atomistic description
Understanding the molecular
basis of helical twisting power and flexoelectricity
Substrate-molecular interactions
and the effect on device functionality
Importance of ionic influences
in bistable liquid crystal devices
3d predictive modelling
of complete liquid crystal devices including complex
surface morphologies and defect dynamics
Such a concerted effort from the liquid crystal community
will also provide extensive training, in an array of modelling
techniques and in interacting with and understanding the requirements
of industrial partners, for both those involved in
the projects outlined below and those in the wider modelling
community through annual workshops.
