1. New Liquid Crystalline Materials for Electrooptical and Sensory ApplicationsPiotr Kaszynski, Vanderbilt University, DMR 0606317 Boron clusters (shown below) are unusual inorganic cage compounds that we have been exploring as structural elements in liquid crystals. Their atypical geometry and electronic structures permit the design of functional materials suitable for flat panel display and Li+ ion battery applications, as well as the study of fundamental aspects of the liquid crystal phenomenon. Our multidisciplinary program is directed at synthesis and understanding the behavior of rationally-designed liquid crystalline materials. The project involves quantum-mechanical calculations to aid in molecular design, development and application of inorganic/organic synthetic methods, structure-property relationship studies, and electrooptical characterization. Top: texture of a smectic A phase formed by ionic liquid crystal (middle structure). Bottom: examples of recently studied liquid crystals containing boron clusters.

2. New Liquid Crystalline Materials for Electro-optical and Sensory ApplicationsPiotr Kaszynski, Vanderbilt Universiyt, DMR 0606317 Highlights of recent results: • A carborane analogue of an orthoconic smectic improves electrooptical characteristics of the material (ref 1). • Our recent work (ref 2) with the [1-closo-CB9H10]- cluster led us to a new class of high De nematics with prospects for display applications. • First anion-driven ionic liquid crystals are potential media for anisotropic conduction of cations such as Li+ in ion batteries (ref 3). Research Group, Summer 2009 Graduate Student: Bryan Ringstrand attended the 59th Lindau Meeting in Germany. Undergraduate: Lillian Johnson, a junior at VU, visited The Czech Academy of Sciences as part of NSF-sponsored international exchange program. Postdoctoral associate: Dr. Aleksandra Jankowiak The image represents one of the textures displayed by our new class of ionic liquid crystals. Selected recent publications: 1. Piecek, W.; Glab, K. L.; Januszko, A.; Perkowski, P.; Kaszynski, P. J. Mater. Chem. 2009, 19, 1173-1182. 2. Ringstrand, B.; Kaszynski, P.; Franken, A. Inorg. Chem.2009, 48, 7313-7329. 3. Ringstrand, B.; Kaszynski, P.; Monobe, H. J. Mater. Chem.2009, 19, 4805-4812.