For much of the past 60 years, the U.S. research community dominated the discovery of new crystalline materials and the growth of large single crystals, placing the country at the forefront of fundamental advances in condensed-matter sciences and fueling the development of many of the new technologies at the core of U.S. economic growth. The opportunities offered by future developments in this field remain as promising as the achievements of the past. However, the past 20 years have seen a substantial deterioration in the United States' capability to pursue those opportunities at a time when several European and Asian countries have significantly increased investments in developing their own capacities in these areas. This book seeks both to set out the challenges and opportunities facing those who discover new crystalline materials and grow large crystals and to chart a way for the United States to reinvigorate its efforts and thereby return to a position of leadership in this field.

For much of the past 60 years, the U.S. research community dominated the discovery of new crystalline materials and the growth of large single crystals, placing the country at the forefront of fundamental advances in condensed-matter sciences and fueling the development of many of the new technologies at the core of U.S. economic growth. The opportunities offered by future developments in this field remain as promising as the achievements of the past. However, the past 20 years have seen a substantial deterioration in the United States' capability to pursue those opportunities at a time when several European and Asian countries have significantly increased investments in developing their own capacities in these areas. This book seeks both to set out the challenges and opportunities facing those who discover new crystalline materials and grow large crystals and to chart a way for the United States to reinvigorate its efforts and thereby return to a position of leadership in this field.

Crystal engineering - where the myriad of intermolecular forces operating in the solid-state are employed to design new nano- and functional materials - is a key new technology with implications for catalysis, pharmaceuticals, synthesis and materials science. Frontiers in Crystal Engineering gathers personal perspectives, from international specialists working in molecular aspects of crystal engineering, on the practical and theoretical challenges of the discipline, and future prospects. These demonstrate the approaches that are being used to tackle the problems associated with the complexity, design and functionality of crystalline molecular solids. Topics include * how intermolecular forces direct and sustain crystal structures * functional engineering and design elements * coordination polymers and network structures * applications in green and pharmaceutical chemistry Frontiers in Crystal Engineering is a useful guide to this exciting new discipline for both entrants to the field as well as established practitioners, and for those working in crystallography, medicinal and pharmaceutical sciences, solid-state chemistry, and materials and nanotechnology.

1. Liquid crystals: a unique phase of matter -- 2. Medical displays -- 3. Liquid crystals in spectroscopy, microscopy and hyperspectral imaging -- 4. Liquid crystal biosensors -- 5. Liquid crystak lasers -- 6. Biomimicking with liquid crystals -- 7. Actuators and delivery systems