Azo-functionalised materials are of special interest due to their photochromic nature, ie
reversible trans–cis isomerisation upon photoirradiation. The combination of photosensitivity …

It has been found that bent-shaped achiral molecules can form a liquid crystal phase, called
the Twist-Bend Nematic (NTB), which is locally polar and spontaneously twisted having a …

The recently discovered twist-bend nematic phase of achiral bent-shaped molecules, NTB,
has a doubly degenerate ground-state with a periodically modulated heliconical structure …

The synthesis and liquid-crystalline properties are reported for novel bent-shaped dimers in
which a naphthyl group has been incorporated into the mesogenic cores. In addition to the …

Today liquid-crystalline materials are most widely exploited for flat-panel displays, and yet
their ability to self-organize into periodically ordered nanostructures gives rise to a broad …

Polarized beam infrared (IR) spectroscopy provides valuable information on changes in the
orientation of samples in nematic phases, especially on the role of intermolecular …

The splay, twist, and bend elastic constants of an oxadiazole based bent-core liquid crystal
have been measured as functions of temperature throughout the nematic phase. The splay …

Recent experiments have evidenced some unconventional features in the elasticity of
nematics, which cannot be explained by standard microscopic theories. Here, in the …

Recent findings on various classes of nematics, whose microscopic structure differs from the
prototypical rod-like shape, evidence unusual elastic properties, which challenge existing …

Solid state NMR pulse techniques have been found most useful to elucidate order and
dynamics of molecules of various shapes which can self-assemble into ordered fluids. This …