Search results for "liquid crystal"

Experimental Analysis via Thermochromic Liquid Crystals of the Temperature Local Distribution in Membrane Distillation Modules

2013

A reliable and optimized design of channels for Membrane Distillation (MD) requires knowledge of local temperature distributions within the module. This information is essential to measure the temperature polarization, choice the module configuration (net spacer features, channel size, etc) providing the best process performance. Notwithstanding such crucial aspects, only few studies have been devoted to the experimental characterization of MD channels and none of them includes data on the local temperature distribution. In the present work, an experimental technique based on the use of Thermochromic Liquid Crystals (TLCs) and digital image processing, previously proposed by the authors (Pi…

Sputtered SiOxNy thin films: improving optical efficiency of liquid crystal diffuser elements in multi-focal near-to-eye display architecture

2021

In this work we present reactive sputtered SiOxNy films with a variable refractive index as a convienent solution for contrast improvement of liquid crystal diffuser multi stacks in near-to-eye AR/VR displays. The focus concerns minimization of light reflections between internal structures, in particular ITO, by optimizing internal layers through tailored properties of thin film coatings, as well as subsequent laser patterning of thin film stack. Inorganic thin films have been deposited on glass by physical vapor deposition. Corresponding refractive index, thickness, uniformity and dielectric characteristics and other electro-optical properties have been measured and their impact on the res…

Optical retarder system with programmable spectral retardance.

2014

An optical system that works as a retarder waveplate with programmable spectral retardance is proposed. The system is based on a pixelated liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) spatial light modulator (SLM). The input light beam is spectrally dispersed and different spectral components are projected onto different pixels of the LCoS-SLM. A different retardance is then addressed for each pixel, adapted to the incoming wavelength. Light reflected from the SLM is then recombined by the same setup. In this way a programmable polarization spectrum can be encoded. We illustrate the broadband characterization that is required for proper use of the system. Then several examples are shown, including spec…

Thermodynamics and Structure of Plate-Like Particle Dispersions

2012

A considerable amount of mineral particles are found to have a plate-like shape. The work in this thesis concerns theoretical investigations, using a Monte Carlo method, of the properties of such particles in aqueous solutions. The objectives were first to create a model that could capture the essential physics of clay suspensions and also to understand the role of thermodynamics in certain chemical processes. For all investigations, the results are related to experimental studies. The acid-base behavior of clays have been studied, using the primitive model, and an excellent agreement between simulated and experimental results was found. The formation of gel phases as a function of the char…

ortho -Fluorination of azophenols increases the mesophase stability of photoresponsive hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals

2018

Photoresponsive liquid crystals (LCs) whose alignment can be controlled with UV-Visible light are appealing for a range of photonic applications. From the perspective of exploring the interplay between the light response and the self-assembly of the molecular components, supramolecular liquid crystals are of particular interest. They allow elaborating the structure-property relationships that govern the optical performance of LC materials by subtle variation of the chemical structures of the building blocks. Herein we present a supramolecular system comprising azophenols and stilbazoles as hydrogen-bond donors and acceptors, respectively, and show that ortho-fluorination of the azophenol dr…

An experimental study for the characterization of fluid dynamics and heat transport within the spacer-filled channels of membrane distillation modules

2018

Abstract The thermo-fluid dynamic behavior of spacer-filled channels for membrane distillation was investigated experimentally. Several different geometry were investigated thanks to customized reference spacers manufactured using a 3D printer. In particular, two sets of experiments were conducted: in the first set, cylindrical filaments were orthogonally arranged and the flow attack angle was made to vary from 0o to 90o; in the second set, the flow attack angle was kept symmetrical and the filament angle was made to vary from 30° to 150°. Each spacer was tested for Reynolds numbers between 200 and 900 in the hot channel, while maintaining a constant temperature difference of 13 °C between …

1982

Ferroelectric liquid-crystalline elastomers

1994

Ferroelectric liquid crystalline polysiloxanes with high spontaneous polarization and possible applications in nonlinear optics

1990

Star-shaped conjugated compounds forming nematic discotic systems

2004

Abstract Star-shaped compounds, having a benzene ( 9a,b ) or a 1,3,5-triazine ( 11a,b ) core and stilbenoid arms were prepared. Hexyloxy chains, attached in the middle of the arms, provide nematic discotic phases ND, which are unusual for such systems. The position of the sidechains prevents the micro-segregation, which is valid for star-shaped discs of columnar phases. The stilbenoid character of 9a,b and 11a,b guarantees a high light sensitivity. Apart from the statistical CC bond formation by irradiation in solution or in the LC phases, a topochemically controlled chemo-, regio- and stereoselective photocyclodimerization 11a → 12 was found in the crystalline state. The structure determin…