Liquid crystals: Indian contributions

Abstract

Liquid crystals (LCs) are known for the ubiquitous display (LCD) devices. Though liquid crystals were discovered in 1888 in Austria, the first Indian research work on the subject was reported only in the 1950s by Dave from Baroda, on the synthesis of new compounds. Chandrasekhar initiated the most comprehensive activity in the field in the 1960s in Mysore. The most important Indian contribution is the discovery of columnar liquid crystals made of disc-like molecules. Chandrasekhar also authored a well-cited book on liquid crystals. Over the past four decades, many other well-known theoretical as well as experimental contributions have been made, and over 1,000 papers have been published on the subject, from India. However, applied work in this field has been on a low key. An indigenous know-how fpr the manufacture of simple LCD devices was developed by a cooperation between the Raman Research Institute and Bharat Electronics Limited. The chapter will cover the most important advances made by Indian scientists, using a semi-technical presentation.