title: Micro- and nanofibers and liquid crystals for light-scattering shutters: simulation of electro-optical properties.
abstract: This work demonstrates the feasibility of using polymeric micro- and nanofiber-composed films and liquid crystals as electrically switchable scattering light shutters. We present a concept of electro-optic device based on an innovative combination of two mature technologies: optics of nematic liquid crystals and electrospinning of nanofibers. These devices have electric and optical characteristics far superior to other comparable methods. The simulation presented shows results that are highly consistent with those of experiments and that explain the working mechanism of the devices.
authors.affiliation: Area Departamental de Física, Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, ISEL/IPL, R. Conselheiro Emídio Navarro, 1, 1950-062 Lisboa, Portugal and I3N-CENIMAT, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, FCT/UNL, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciência dos Materiais and I3N-CENIMAT, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, FCT/UNL, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Godinho
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física, Instituto Superior Técnico, IST/UTL, Avenida Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal and CFMC-UL, Avenida Prof. Gama Pinto 2, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Figueirinhas
mesh_terms: D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D050866:Liquid Crystals / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D055617:Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012031:Refractometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation