New non-synthetic method to modify properties of liquid crystals using micro- and nano-particles

The modification of the properties of existing LCs by doping them with ferroelectric micro and nano-particles will be reported. This approach, in contrast to the conventional time-consuming and expensive chemical synthetic methods, enriches and enhances the electro- optical performance of many liquid-crystal materials. The effect of the ferroelectric particles on the nematic, smectic, and cholesteric phases will be discussed. The performance of these new composite systems in various devices, including displays, light modulators, and beam-steering devices, will be reported.