Time-dependent effects in lyotropic systems

The term ‘liquid crystals’ describes a state of matter which is intermediate between that of amorphous liquids and that of crystalline solids [1]. Such materials possess some degree of orientational ordering but limited or no positional order. Hence anisotropy is a key feature of liquid crystals. As a result of their particular structure, the mechanical behaviour of liquid crystals often resembles that of fluids whereas their optical characteristics reflect their crystal-like nature. A general introduction to liquid crystalline materials is presented by Collyer in Chapter 1 of this book.