The main aim of this chapter is to demonstrate a principal possibility of elaboration of liquid crystal sensors of mechanical perturbations based on the results of basic investigations of linear and nonlinear phenomena in shear flows of liquid crystals (Chapter 3).This chapter is organized as follows. First, we will define the physical background of sensor applications of liquid crystals and discuss the main parameters of mechanooptical effects in Poiseuille flows of liquid crystals, important for practice and optimization of these parameters. Then, we will concentrate on some types of liquid crystal sensors proposed for sensing of steady and low-frequency mechanical forces and motion. In particular, we will consider the sensors of the pressure difference, acceleration, vibration, and inclination. We will consider the possible construction of such devices and estimate their technical parameters. The use of liquid crystal sensors for the control of liquid and gas flows will be discussed too. Finally, we will describe some experimental results of acoustooptical effects on liquid crystals at additional action of electric and magnetic fields. The latter can be important for the elaboration of electrically controlled liquid crystal sensors, which can be used in detection and visualization of high-frequency (ultrasonic) vibrations.
Liquid Crystals as Sensors of Mechanical Perturbations: Physical Background and Main CharacteristicsLiquid crystals can be considered a very promising material for sensor applications. It is determined by high sensitivity of liquid crystal media to the action of different factors of physical (or chemical) nature. In general, a sensor is often defined as a device that receives and responds to a signal or stimulus [1]. Stimulus is the quantity, property, or condition that is sensed and converted into definite (mostly electrical) signal [1][2][3]. Sensing and visualization of temperature fields via cholesteric liquid crystals can be considered as the most traditional sensor application of liquid crystals. It is based on a strong sensitivity of the selective reflection spectra to temperature variations that makes it possible to visualize temperature fields [4]. Such possibility is traditionally used in biomedical applications of liquid crystals [5,6] for the diagnostics Liquid Crystals: Viscous and Elastic Properties