This course aims to develop effective skills in analysis of chemical and physical phenomena in liquid crystal polymers and metallomesogens.

New and future smart materials will be discussed. Fundamental aspects of designing and fabricating smart materials will be analyzed by correlating their molecular and supramolecular structure with the ways of organization or self-organization and the resulting physicochemical properties that, in turn, determine practical applications of such materials. Multiple chemical and physical methods used to obtain various smart materials will be presented. Practicums will demonstrate methods and give access to the synthesis of new smart materials and their components.Particular attention will be paid to setting up and using experimental methods to analyze and investigate smart materials. You will learn how to select components for creating modern smart materials and performing research work using a variety of methods and instruments.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Have an understanding of how liquid crystals are classified;

2. Explain the basic laws defining LCP behavior and predict the composition and properties of the end products;

3. Solve problems in synthesis and technologies of liquid crystalline polymers and metallomesogens;

4. Understand which physical methods are necessary to recognize and detect liquid crystal behavior;

5. Explain connection between structure and properties of LCP;

6. Demonstrate understanding of current and future areas of applications of LCP and metallomesogens in smart materials