This paper reviews the extended Cauchy model and the four-parameter model for describing the wavelength and temperature effects of liquid crystal (LC) refractive indices. The refractive indices of nine commercial LCs, MLC-9200-000, MLC-9200-100, MLC-6608, MLC-6241-000, 5PCH, 5CB, TL-216, E7, and E44 are measured by the Multi-wavelength Abbe Refractometer. These experimental data are used to validate the theoretical models. Excellent agreement between experiment and theory is obtained. Index Terms-Cauchy model, four-parameter model, liquid crystal display (LCD), liquid crystal (LC) refractive indices, temperature gradients, three-parameter parabolic model. Ruibo Lu received the M.S degree in applied physics from

Anchoring energy enhancement and pretilt angle control of liquid crystal alignment on polymerized surfaces AIP Advances 5, 097218 (2015);

Herein, we have developed a rather simple composite fabrication approach to achieving molecular-level dispersion and planar orientation of chemically modified graphene (CMG) in the thermosetting polyimide (PI) matrix as well as realizing strong adhesion at the interfacial regions between reinforcing filler and matrix. The covalent adhesion of CMG to PI matrix and oriented distribution of CMG were carefully confirmed and analyzed by detailed investigations. Combination of covalent bonding and oriented distribution could enlarge the effectiveness of CMG in the matrix. Efficient stress transfer was found at the CMG/PI interfaces. Significant improvements in the mechanical performances, thermal stability, electrical conductivity, and hydrophobic behavior were achieved by addition of only a small amount of CMG. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the hydrophilic-to-hydrophobic transition and the electrical percolation were observed at only 0.2 wt % CMG in this composite system. This facile methodology is believed to afford broad application potential in graphene-based polymer nanocomposites, especially other types of high-performance thermosetting systems.

Hydrocarbon oil with low vapor pressure has been used as a lubricant in high-vacuum conditions. Decomposition of the oil under boundary lubrication conditions was studied by investigating desorption of hydrogen and hydrocarbons, generated by tribochemical reaction occurred on nascent surface of 52100 steel during the sliding process in a ball-on-disk type sliding tester. Gaseous products by tribochemical decomposition were monitored by a quadrupole mass spectrometer (Q-MS), which would reveal the decomposition mechanism of hydrocarbon oil. It is found that tribochemical reactions of hydrocarbon oil occurred on active sites on steel generated by sliding, the desorption amount of hydrogen and gaseous hydrocarbons increased linearly with sliding velocity, and parabolically with load. A critical load for the activation of decomposition of the hydrocarbon oil on bearing steel was found to be about 1.1 N. In this paper, the decomposition mechanism of hydrocarbon oil was also explored.