Thesis supervisor: Szabolcs Varga
Location of studies (in Hungarian): University of Pannonia, Institute of Physics and Mechatronics Abbreviation of location of studies: IPM
Description of the research topic:
Several types of anisotropic colloidal particles can be synthetised, where the shape of the particles can be even biaxial. It is even possible to create monodisperse suspensions and to tune the shape biaxiality. Such colloidal systems can exhibit isotropic, nematic and smectic phases with increasing concentration if the shape anisotropy is enough high. The transition between different phases can be first or second order. The nematic phase, which is widely used in liquid crystal displays, can be either uniaxial or biaxial due to the biaxial shape of the particles. To understand the nature of biaxial ordering and the possibility of low-energy cost uniaxial-to-biaxial order switching is in the forefront of the scientific interest. Our purpose is to construct model systems and perform theoretical calculation, which allow us to get some insight into the elusive phase behaviour of biaxial colloidal particles.
The PhD student should examine the phase behaviour of mono- and bidisperse colloidal suspensions in bulk, where the shape of the biaxial particle is continuously changed between rod-like and plate-like shapes. To do this the overlap check between two hard particles should be developed and the density functional treatment or simulation method should be devised. The aim is to find low density biaxial nematic phases, which can be promoted by external confinement or fields. In addition to this, the possibility of homeotropic-to-planar ordering in sandwich panels should be clarified.
Required language skills: English Further requirements: MSc in Physics or Material Sciences
Number of students who can be accepted: 2
Deadline for application: 2021-08-31
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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