Design and synthesis of liquid crystal molecules exhibiting new nematic phases

These projects are open to students worldwide, but have no funding attached. Therefore, the successful applicant will be expected to fund tuition fees at the relevant level (home or international) and any applicable additional research costs. Please consider this before applying.

Liquid crystals (LCs) are often referred to as the fourth state of matter and are perhaps most familiar to us through the ubiquitous liquid crystal displays but are far more common than that. Every time you use soap, you are using a liquid crystal, and cell membranes are also liquid crystalline. Research in Aberdeen focuses on the relationships between molecular structure and liquid crystallinity and involves both the synthesis of new materials and their physical characterisation. Our interests span low molar mass and polymeric liquid crystals.

Different liquid crystal phases are known, each with their own unique properties and potential applications. The simplest, and most technologically significant liquid crystal phase is the nematic phase, N, in which rod-like molecules are orientationally ordered – they all point along the same direction, the director – but their centres of mass are randomly arranged in space. Current liquid crystal display technology is limited by the speed at which the nematic phase can ‘switch’ (ie. the rotation of the director by application of an electric from an ‘on’ to ‘off’ position) and thus one of the current challenges in global liquid crystal research is the discovery of new liquid crystal phases with the possibility of achieving transformative applications by increases in switching speeds at lower field strengths.

Very recently, new types of nematic phase have been discovered: the twist-bend nematic phase, NTB [1] and the ferroelectric nematic phase, NF [2], both of which have attracted significant interest across the global LC community for both their intriguing, unprecedented fundamental properties and enormous application potential. To realise this application potential requires the creation of liquid crystal materials showing these phases across appropriate temperature ranges. To design such materials in a rational manner first requires an understanding of molecular structure-property relationships in these new classes of LCs: we must learn how to manipulate liquid crystallinity through molecular electrostatic and steric interactions, and promote the formation of exotic new phases.

This project will involve the design and synthesis of new materials, their physical characterisation and molecular modelling. Our approach to the design and synthesis of new liquid crystal phases, and their use in new types of applications is shown in the references [3-6]. The balance between organic synthesis and physical characterisation in this project can to some extent be tailored to meet an individual’s interests.

Decisions will be based on academic merit. The successful applicant should have, or expect to obtain, a UK Honours Degree at 2.1 (or equivalent) in Chemistry. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to having a diverse, inclusive team.

Informal enquiries can be made by contacting Dr Walker (rebecca.walker@abdn.ac.uk)

Application Procedure:

Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php.

You should apply for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry to ensure your application is passed to the correct team for processing.

Please clearly note the name of the lead supervisor and project titleon the application form. If you do not include these details, it may not be considered for the project.

Your application must include: A personal statement, an up-to-date copy of your academic CV, and clear copies of your educational certificates and transcripts.

Please note: you do not need to provide a research proposal with this application.

If you require any additional assistance in submitting your application or have any queries about the application process, please don't hesitate to contact us at researchadmissions@abdn.ac.uk