Liquid Crystals
Speaker: Prof. Apala Majumdar, FRSE, FIMA, Department of Mathematics, University of Manchester, UK
Host: Prof. Neela Nataraj
Title: The Mathematics of Liquid Crystals - Theory and Applications
Time, day and date: 12:00:00 PM – 1:00:00 PM, Friday, January 23
Venue: Ramanujan Hall
Abstract: This mini-course will comprise four lectures on the mathematics of liquid crystals and modelling of liquid crystal applications. Liquid crystals are complex materials that combine fluidity with the ordering of solids and consequently, have fascinating physical, mechanical and rheological properties. Liquid crystals are best known as the working material of choice for the multi-billion dollar display industry. We will give a non-technical introduction to liquid crystals - their history, physics and applications, followed by an overview of the main mathematical theories for liquid crystals. We will conclude the lecture course with examples of mathematical modelling of real-life liquid crystal systems.