An Introduction to Liquid Crystals (Iop Concise Physics)

Practically every display technology in use today relies on the flat, energy-efficient construction made possible by liquid crystals.

These displays provide visually-crisp, vibrantly-colored images that a short time ago were thought only possible in science fiction. Liquid crystals are known mainly for their use in display technologies, but they also provide many diverse and useful applications: adaptive optics, electro-optical devices, films, lasers, photovoltaics, privacy windows, skin cleansers and soaps, and thermometers. The striking images of liquid crystals changing color under polarized lighting conditions are even on display in many museums and art galleries - true examples of 'science meeting art'. Although liquid crystals provide us with visually stunning displays, fascinating applications, and are a rich and fruitful source of interdisciplinary research, their full potential may yet remain untapped.

James Joseph DeLuca received his Bachelor of Science degree in bio-chemistry. He worked in the private sector as an industrial chemist for over three decades. In this capacity, he worked at PPG Industries for thirteen years, where he conducted studies of pigment durability of exterior OEM coatings. He then spent ten years at Nippon Coatings as a Laboratory Manager, where he studied proprietary micro-to-nano aqueous emulsion technology and synthesis methods. Currently, he is the QC manager at Axalta Coatings Systems--Orrville where he oversees the company's laboratory and production development. Additionally, he conducts research and development for EnVont Nanotechnologies, LLC, where he explores quantum aqueous nano-technology and a novel synthesis platform technology. In 2016, he was granted an approved United States patent for Hybrid Vehicle Systems involving synthesis methods to create an environmentally-friendly, aqueous 4-6 nm hybrid zero-valent amorphous atomic metal within crystalline mixed metal-oxide nanocrystals.