Pattern Formation and Defects in Liquid Crystals

Dear Colleagues,

Defects and patterns that spontaneously form in liquid crystals were essential for the discovery of these fascinating materials and provide with a direct probe into the underlying molecular order.  Their complexity has inspired scientists for decades and, in the past few year, they have been recognized as a promising tool for the development of functional materials.

We invite investigators to submit papers that focus on the generation and dynamics of defects or patterns in liquid crystals, either from an experimental, theoretical, or numerical perspective. The focus may be application-oriented or basic science, and the reported systems may be in equilibrium or non-equilibrium. Materials may be thermotropic, lyotropic, colloidal, or even biomaterials, as long as they feature long-range orientational order that allows to define defects and patterns.

 Suggested potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Liquid crystal patterns and defect arrays for optical, sensor, or other applications.
• Defects in the context of colloids dispersed in liquid crystals. Defects may be originated by the dispersed colloids or the latter may be self-assembled on previously existing defects. This can include soliton defects that may behave as quasi-particles. Assemblies may be static or dynamic.
• Pattern formation and defects in suspended or supported liquid crystal films. This includes ordered Langmuir Monolayers, liquid crystal shells, and biomembranes.
• Pattern formation and defects in bulk liquid crystal phases, both thermotropic and lyotropic. This can include recent 3D visualization techniques of defect structure.
• Dynamic pattern formation and moving defects in liquid crystals. This can include recent developments in active soft materials.
• Pattern formation and defect generation or control by means of electromagnetic or flow fields.  

Dr. Jordi Ignés-Mullol
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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