Bicontinuous Liquid Crystals

This book examines the latest studies of bicontinuous liquid crystal structures with a practical approach to applications - such as controlled release, materials development, fabrication, processing, polymerization, protein crystallization, membrane fusion, and treatment of human skin - in manufacturing and laboratory processes. The book covers the cubic, mesh, ribbon, and sponge equilibrium phases of bicontinuous structures. It offers a historical perspective and a theoretical platform for study, a detailed discussion of properties and phase applications, and methods for describing the liquid crystalline phases, such as differential geometry, thermodynamics, local and global packing, and the study of conformational entropy. The book also highlights tools for visualizing bicontinuous systems mathematically.

Matthew L. Lynch, Patrick T. Spicer

Preface. Contributors. Introduction to Bicontinuous Phases. What's Missing. Theoretical Aspects and Modeling of Bicontinuous Phases. Physical Chemistry and Characterization. Applications.