The project challenges and surpasses the existing hybrid systems from different perspectives. At first, the recent discovery of ferroelectricity in the nematic phase provides radically new physical properties and the field of liquid crystals experiences revolutionary developments. We propose new mesogenic structures with highly polar molecules, or with dimeric and more complex shapes of molecules, for the creation of advanced colloids. Attention will be given to mesogens exhibiting ferroelectric, antiferroelectric or helical arrangement. The ferroelectric nematic phase will be studied to gain new information about the relationship between molecular structure and ferroelectric properties. New hybrid systems based on magnetic nanoparticles will profit from all the advantages of composing parts in these organic-inorganic hybrids. Colloids based on ferroelectric nematics or other mesogens will be studied in electric or magnetic fields, and their ferroic properties will be optimized. We can expect excellent flexibility, diverse structures, and multiferroic properties.
Project partners: Jožef Stefan Institute and Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences.
