Dielectric studies of the hexatic B-smectic A and crystal B-smectic A transitions

Static dielectric constants, ε_∥ and ε_⊥ as well as the low frequency dielectric dispersion of ε_∥ have been studied in the vicinity of the hexatic B-smectic A transition in n-hexyl-4'-pentyloxybiphenyl-4-carboxylate (65OBC) and n-butyl-4'-hexyloxybiphenyl-4-carboxylate (46OBC) and also near the crystal B-smectic A transition in n-(4-n-butyloxybenzylidene)-4-n-octylaniline (4O. 8). While the behaviour of the dielectric anisotropy is essentially similar for both transitions, the dispersion results show significant differences.     

Effect of bond-length alternation in molecular wires

Current-voltage (I-V) characteristics for metal-molecule-metal junctions formed from three classes of molecules measured with a simple crossed-wire molecular electronics test-bed are reported. Junction conductance as a function of molecular structure is consistent with I-V characteristics calculated from extended Hückel theory coupled with a Green's function approach, and can be understood on the basis of bond-length alternation.     

Electroclinic liquid crystals with large induced tilt angle and small layer contraction

Optical and x-ray scattering studies of a chiral, organosiloxane smectic-A liquid crystal indicate a large field induced optical tilt of up to 31 degrees accompanied by a very small contraction of the smectic layers. This result suggests that the molecules have a nonzero tilt even with no applied field, and that the primary effect of the field is to induce long range order in the direction of the molecular tilt.     

On the thickness dependence of ferroelectric polarization in smectic C* liquid crystal cells

The thickness dependence of ferroelectric polarization in a SmC* liquid crystal exhibiting a large value of polarization has been investigated. It is observed that the saturation value of the polarization shows no significant thickness dependence. This observation is in accordance with a recent theoretical framework developed by Galerne. It is shown that the wall thickness, where the polarization undergoes a reversal, and hence the self-screening effect, is insignificant in the material studied.     

Nonlinear dynamics of functionally graded pipes conveying hot fluid

For improved stability of fluid-conveying pipes operating under the thermal environment, functionally graded materials (FGMs) are recommended in a few recent studies. Besides this advantage, the nonlinear dynamics of fluid-conveying FG pipes is an important concern for their engineering applications. The present study is carried out in this direction, where the nonlinear dynamics of a vertical FG pipe conveying hot fluid is studied thoroughly. The FG pipe is considered with pinned ends while the internal hot fluid flows with the steady or pulsatile flow velocity. Based on the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory and the plug-flow model, the nonlinear governing equation of motion of the fluid-conveying FG pipe is derived in the form of the nonlinear integro-partial-differential equation that is subsequently reduced as the nonlinear temporal differential equation using Galerkin method. The solutions in the time or frequency domain are obtained by implementing the adaptive Runge–Kutta method or harmonic balance method. First, the divergence characteristics of the FG pipe are investigated and it is found that buckling of the FG pipe arises mainly because of temperature of the internal fluid. Next, the dynamic characteristics of the FG pipe corresponding to its pre- and post-buckled equilibrium states are studied. In the pre-buckled equilibrium state, higher-order parametric resonances are observed in addition to the principal primary and secondary parametric resonances, and thus the usual shape of the parametric instability region deviates. However, in the post-buckled equilibrium state of the FG pipe, its chaotic oscillations may arise through the intermittent transition route, cyclic-fold bifurcation, period-doubling bifurcation and subcritical bifurcation. The overall study reveals complex dynamics of the FG pipe with respect to some system parameters like temperature of fluid, material properties of FGM and fluid flow velocity.     

Synthesis and structure of (±)-4-O-methanesulfonyl-myo-inositol 1,3,5-orthoformate

Racemic 4-O-methanesulfonyl-myo-inositol 1,3,5-orthoformate was prepared by methanolysis of racemic 2,4-di-O-benzoyl-4-O-methanesulfonyl-myo-inositol 1,3,5-orthoformate, in the presence of triethylamine. The diol crystallizes in space group P2₁2₁2₁ with cell dimensions a = 6.094(1), b = 6.502(2), c = 25.947(3) Å, V = 1028.1(4) Å, Z = 4. The molecular crystals show both intra- and intermolecular O—H···O short contacts. The methine and the methyl hydrogens are involved in several C—H···O interactions.     

High Pressure Studies on Mesomorphic and Polymesomorphic Transitions

The paper presents the following results: (1) pressure induced mesomorphism in p-p'-n-butylazobenzene and biphenyl p-ethyl benzoate. (2) the monotropic nematic-isotropic transition in trans-p-n-propoxy-x-methyl cyanophenyl cinnamate becoming enantiotropic under pressure, (3) suppression of the cholesteric mesophase in cholesteryl nonanoate and the location of a solid-cholesteric-isotropic triple point at ～ 2.85 kbar. confirming an earlier observation of Keyes. Weston and Daniels on the same compound, (4) a measurement of dT/dp for the solid-smectic A, smectic A-cholesteric and cholesteric-isotropic transitions in cholesteryl myristate and a comparison with the values evaluated from the Clausius-Clapeyron equation using the known latent heat and volumetric data.     

High Pressure Study of Phase Transitions in DMPC-Water System

We have carried out a detailed pressure study of the three phase transitions observed in hydrated dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) containing 95% by weight of water. The P-T diagram shows a Gel III-Gel II-Gel I triple point at 3.5 kbar, 41[ddot]C. It is found that the Gel III phase can be obtained by pressure-annealing the sample for about 12 hours at room temperature.     

Synthesis of 2-Benzylidene and 2-Hetarylmethyl Derivatives of 2H-1,4-Benzoxazin-3-(4H)-ones as Neuroprotecting Agents

A wide variety of the title compounds were synthesized by conventional and microwave methods in which the main step is a condensation of an aldehyde with a 1,4-benzoxazin-3-(4H)-one. In all cases, the Z diasteromers were the major products. Of particular importance is the synthesis of novel 2-(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxy) and 2-(4-acetoxy-3,5-dibromobenzylidene derivatives of 2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3-(4H)-ones, four of which were shown in a previous publication to exhibit potent neuroprotecting properties. The yields of titled compounds ranged from 25 to 83%.     

Plenary Lecture. Phase transitions and critical phenomena in polar smectic A liquid crystals

Since the discovery of a phase transition between two polymorphic forms of the smectic A phase, there has been a considerable amount of experimental as well as theoretical work on strongly polar materials exhibiting different smectic A phases. These studies have led to the observation of a variety of new phase transitions and critical phenomena which are rarely encountered in any other area of condensed matter physics. We review briefly some of these important results.