Abstract: Material comprising a ferroelectric nematic phase, the material are disclosed. The material can include a mixture comprising first molecules and second molecules. At least one of a fluid of the first molecules and a fluid of the second molecules exhibits a ferroelectric nematic phase. The first molecules and second molecules are miscible. The first molecules can induce a polar orientational order of said second molecules.

Abstract: Surface polarity of a ferroelectric nematic can be configured to generate vectorial control of the orientation of its bulk polarization field. The contact between a surface with in-plane polarity and a ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal generates preferred in-plane orientation of the ferroelectric polarization field at that interface, which can lead to the formation of fluid or glassy monodomains of high polarization without electric field poling.

Abstract: Devices including nematic liquid crystal-forming molecules are disclosed. The molecules include one or more dipoles and exist in a ferroelectric nematic state. Exemplary devices can further include an electrode for applying an electric field in, for example, and in-plane direction.

Abstract: Composite materials and devices including composite materials are disclosed. Exemplary composite materials include a porous material and ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal within pores of the porous material. The composite materials can be used in a variety of applications, such as capacitors, information storage and processing, actuators, sensors, electro-caloric devices, energy storage and/or conversion devices utilizing piezoelectric effects. The porous material can be a solid, a polymer, glassy, crystalline, amorphous, foam, an aerogel or ceramic.

Abstract: Devices including a volume containing a ferroelectric nematic liquid crystalline material, a dielectric layer overlying a portion of the volume, and a charge-bearing substrate or layer are disclosed. Methods of forming and using such devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Material comprising a ferroelectric nematic phase, the material are disclosed. The material can include a mixture comprising first molecules and second molecules. At least one of a fluid of the first molecules and a fluid of the second molecules exhibits a ferroelectric nematic phase. The first molecules and second molecules are miscible. The first molecules can induce a polar orientational order of said second molecules.

Abstract: Surface polarity of a ferroelectric nematic can be configured to generate vectorial control of the orientation of its bulk polarization field. The contact between a surface with in-plane polarity and a ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal generates preferred in-plane orientation of the ferroelectric polarization field at that interface, which can lead to the formation of fluid or glassy monodomains of high polarization without electric field poling.

Abstract: Devices including nematic liquid crystal-forming molecules are disclosed. The molecules include one or more dipoles and exist in a ferroelectric nematic state. Exemplary devices can further include an electrode for applying an electric field in, for example, and in-plane direction.