Liquid crystals are fluids with directionality defined. Polymers are long molecules with a shape that can be changed. As a network, polymers form rubber-a soft solid that is locally liquid-like and capable of huge extension. Liquid crystal elastomers area combination of all these curious aspects, but with additional, revolutionary new phenomena-for example, spontaneous shape changes of several hundred percent induced by temperature change, with equally large opto-mechanical responses, shape change without energy cost (Soft elasticity), color change with strain, lasing and photonics,...

This multicontributor volume reviews the state-of-the-art in this important area of polymer structure. The understanding of polymer structure and morphology is examined from both theoretical and experimental viewpoints. Includes crystalline, amorphous and liquid crystalline polymers.