Polymer synthesis, liquid crystals, dendrimers

Nowadays, functional molecules possessing diverse functionalities are being developed. Some of them are expected to exhibit maximum performance when the molecules are regularly arranged along a desired orientation. However, such molecular arrangements are not easy to accomplish.
Among such functional molecules are liquid crystals, used in liquid crystal displays (LCD). In order to switch between displaying light and dark, the molecules must be predominantly oriented along one direction. Hence, LCD use oriented film. Among the various steps involved in LCD production, it is the oriented film manufacturing process that can most easily lead to a defective product.

Thus far, we have managed to synthesize a liquid crystalline dendrimer by attaching a liquid crystalline moiety to the end of a dendrimer, as shown on the right. Addition of a small quantity of the synthesized dendrimer to liquid crystals typically used in displays enables the uniaxial orientation of all of the liquid crystalline moieties in the sample. In our research thus far, we have found that the oriented film thus produced can be used in LCD manufacture. In this way, merely blending the liquid crystal dendrimer with a liquid crystalline material determines the orientation of the entire material. Therefore, we expect this to be an extremely simple technique to orient molecules.
Through molecular design of liquid crystal dendrimers, we are currently investigating 1) high performance, high efficiency dendrimers 2) design of easily synthesized dendrimers. Furthermore, we are exploring applications of these dendrimers in orienting other functional molecules (besides liquid crystals) and also in orienting molecules even in those cases, such as in soft surfaces, where oriented films cannot be produced by physical methods.

Contents of the research proposal:

• Learning literature search, fundamental experimental techniques and instrumental analysis
• Student round-table discussion: every Monday, from 17:00 (corresponding to round-table discussion II of every course)
  Description: Reading an English polymer chemistry textbook (3rd year undergraduates, 4th year undergraduates and graduate students)
• Seminar: every Friday, from 17:00
  Description: Presentations on research papers from the literature (4th year undergraduates and graduate students), research presentations (3rd year undergraduates, 4th year undergraduates and graduate students)

If you are interested in more detailed information, we will be holding information session on available Fridays from 16:00 at room 2-303.