This volume represents the Highest Impact Factor of all journals ranked by ISI within Polymer Science. It contains short and concise reports on physics and chemistry of polymers, each written by the world renowned experts. The information remains valid and useful after five or ten years. The electronic version is available free of charge for standing order customers at: springer.com/series/12/

The liquid crystalline state may be identified as a distinct and unique state of matter which is characterised by properties which resembles those of both solids and liquids. It was first recognised in the middle of the last century through the study of nerve myelin and derivatives of cholesterol. The research in the area really gathered momentum, however, when as a result of the pioneering work of Gray in the early 1970's organic compounds showing liquid crystalline properties were shown to be suitable to form the basis of display devices in the electronic products. The study of liquid...