Liquid Crystals, Elastomers and Biological Applications

Liquid Crystals, Elastomers and Biological Applications Special Interest Group
Organisers: Dr Apala Majumdar (University of Bath, UK) and Prof. Nigel Mottram, (University of Strathclyde, UK)

The SIG on Liquid Crystals, Elastomers and Biological Applications is based on the mathematical theories and modelling of liquid crystals or more generally, partially ordered materials and soft matter systems, with emphasis on new materials, new technologies and biomathematics e.g. active liquid crystals, cellular biology etc.

Liquid crystals are classical examples of partially ordered materials with physical properties intermediate between those of conventional solids and liquids. They exhibit unique electromagnetic and optical responses, with a wealth of physical phenomena and new technological applications. Of fundamental theoretical interest is the underlying physics and the self-organizing mechanisms present in such partially ordered materials and there is typically a common mathematical structure that can be exploited for theoretical advances in liquid crystals and related materials. The key aims of this SIG are (i) advances in basic theory for partially ordered materials, (ii) minimalistic models for biological systems with partial order or liquid crystalline characteristics and (iii) development of new links between academia and industry. This SIG presently has scientific links with leading research groups in the UK, Italy, Slovenia, China and North America. The SIG organizers are always keen to welcome new members and hope to organize a focussed SIG-workshop in 2016.