Denn studies blends of liquid
crystals in a PDMS polymer matrix, which are relevant to
applications in display technologies13 and self-reinforced composite materials.
These systems exhibit interesting morphologies and often
are kinetically trapped at the smectic-nematic transition.
The morphological features achieved upon quenching
the 8CB/PDMS blends at different temperatures
are of particular interest.
SESMI
students will form the liquid crystal blends and image them
using a polarizing microscope to the influence of
processing variables on texture. These experiments will
coincide with light scattering studies of the same
materials in the Pine laboratory.
