Description
Book SynopsisLiquid crystal science underlies the technology of about half the current display technology by value, an industry now worth some $10 billion per annum worldwide. The fundamental science straddles the disciplines of chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics and computer science. Among liquid crystal scientists today there is much interest in the historical process that has brought the subject to its present level. The historical roots lie in the years following 1888, again in the interwar years, and finally in the late 60s and 70s.
This book has collected important papers in the development of liquid crystal science into one reference volume. The collection is divided into sections, each of which is prefaced by a brief commentary, referring to the historic-scientific context of the time. Some of these papers are available for the first time in English. More modern papers carry a short commentary from the original author, offering recollections of the context in which the work
Trade Review"The book will make delightful reading for any researcher working on liquid crystals, but should be, for various reasons, more generally of value to anyone with an interest in the history of science. … this is a fascinating book that could well find its place in every liquid crystal scientist's personal library"
-- Liquid Crystals Today Volume 13, Issue 4, December 2004
"The book is full of fascinating insights and anecdotes… .generally very well produced… .The authors are to be congratulated for producing a book that is both instructive to read, and which will provide an invaluable source of material about the historical development of the liquid crystals field for many years to come."
-J. M. Seddon, Professor of Physical Chemistry and Head, Interfacial and Analytical Science, Chemistry Department, Imperial College, London
Table of ContentsLiquids. The Interwar Period: Anisotropic Fluids or Mesomorphic Phases. The Modern Physical Picture. The Development of Display Device Technology. Lyotropic, Polymeric and Elastomeric Liquid Crystals.
