Product Description This book provides a comprehensive overview of various self-assemblies in liquid crystalline polymers and their electrical, optical, mechanical, and flame retardant properties. Liquid crystalline polymers are unique self-assembled, functional soft materials with electrical, magnetic, and thermal responses which find potential applications in numerous areas. As well as providing an overview of their synthesis, self-assembly and dynamics the various applications are also discussed. Such applications as liquid crystalline elastomers, light responsive actuators, optical reflectors, gas barrier films, and even flame retardant polymers will be presented. The book is a useful resource for undergraduates, postgraduates and experienced researchers. About the Author Prof. Lei Zhu received his B.S. degree in Materials Chemistry in 1993 and M.S. degree in Polymer Chemistry and Physics in 1996 from Fudan University. He received his Ph.D. degree in Polymer Science from the University of Akron in 2000. After a 2-year postdoctoral experience at the Maurice Morton Institute, University of Akron, he joined the Institute of Materials Science in the Department of Chemical, Materials and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Connecticut as an Assistant Professor. In 2007, Lei was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure. In 2009, he moved to Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University as an Associate Professor. Lei was promoted to Full Professor in 2013. His research interests include high κ polymer and organic-inorganic hybrid nanomaterials for high energy density capacitor applications, development of artificial antibody as nanomedicines, and supramolecular selfassembly of discotic liquid crystals. Lei a is recipient of NSF Career Award, 3M Non-tenured Faculty Award, DuPont Young Professor Award, and Rogers Teaching Excellence Award. He is autho