Multiscale Phase Behaviors of Nematic Solids: A Short Review

Abstract

Nematic liquid crystalline solids are novel smart materials of which mesogenic molecules are incorporated within their polymeric chains via crosslinking. The material exhibits many interesting phase behaviors and is envisaged to be harnessed as a key material of soft responsive structures that are adaptive to their surroundings. These behaviors are originated by intricate interactions between diverse phenomena ranging from molecular interactions, mesoscopic phase transition, and elasticity of macroscale. The modeling and analysis of the behavior, therefore, requires the multiscale point of view in that the vast design space of such material cannot be fully exploited otherwise. In this regard, the multiscale behaviors of the nematic solids are first visited, elucidating qualitative behaviors and research of individual physics. Further, the multiscale analysis approach applied to understand and harness the behaviors of the nematic liquid crystalline solids is then reviewed.