International Liquid Crystal Society News

Professor Wolfgang Helfrichn passed away

Ana Almeida — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 19:40:33 GMT

The liquid crystal and soft matter community has lost a scientist whose work has had a lasting influence on the field. Wolfgang Helfrich, who passed away in 2025, made fundamental contributions to both liquid crystal research and biophysics.

After studying physics in Göttingen, Munich and Tübingen, and completing his doctorate at the Technical University of Munich in 1961, Helfrich worked in Munich, Ottawa, and at the RCA Laboratories in Princeton. Following his habilitation in 1967, he returned to RCA, where he began developing theoretical ideas on the structure of liquid crystals.

In 1970, at Hoffmann-La Roche in Basel, Helfrich — together with Martin Schadt — developed the first twisted nematic liquid crystal display (LCD). This concept became the basis for a technology that is now used in billions of devices worldwide.

In parallel, Helfrich made important contributions to the physics of membranes. His 1973 paper introduced what is now known as the Helfrich energy, a curvature-based description of membrane elasticity that remains central in biophysics. In the years that followed, he developed key ideas on membrane fluctuations, entropic interactions, and vesicle shapes, which continue to influence research across disciplines.

From 1973 until his retirement in 1997, Helfrich was Professor of Experimental Physics at the Free University of Berlin. He received several distinctions for his work, including the Robert-Wichard-Pohl Prize of the German Physical Society and, in 2012, the Draper Prize of the US National Academy of Engineering.

Wolfgang Helfrich combined theoretical depth with a strong sense for physical problems. He moved between fundamental questions and practical applications and was known for his independent thinking and his critical view of rigid academic and industrial structures.

He will be remembered as a scientist who opened new perspectives in the study of liquid crystals and membranes, and as an inspiration to colleagues and students.

https://www.glcs.ovgu.de/Blog.html

Alexey Eremin

Award nomination deadline extension

Ana Almeida — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 19:30:00 GMT

For all awards, the nomination deadline is extended to April 30, 2026.

Detailed nomination guidelines, eligibility criteria, and required documentation are available on the ILCS website ( Honors and Awards).

The award recipients will be announced by June 1, 2026, and all awards will be formally presented during the 30^th International Liquid Crystal Conference (ILCC), to be held in Québec City, Canada, from June 21 to June 26, 2026.

Faculty - tenure track at Kent Campus - Kent, OH

Ana Almeida — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 11:26:50 GMT

The Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute at Kent State University (KSU) seeks to hire an outstanding scientist at any level working in experimental advanced materials and/or at the interface to soft matter science, broadly defined.

Areas of interest may include liquid crystals, nanomaterials, biomaterials, polymers as well as biomimetic, responsive and adaptive materials as well as any combination thereof.

The candidates should apply by February 2026.

More information in Job Advertisements and here, or by sending an email to Professor Torsten Hegmann (thegmann@kent.edu).

International Liquid Crystal Society Awards

Ana Almeida — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:01:17 GMT

The International Liquid Crystal Society (ILCS) invites nominations for its prestigious awards honoring outstanding scientific achievements and service to the liquid crystal community. ILCS strongly encourages the community to submit nominations and help recognize excellence at all career stages.

Nominations are welcomed for the following awards:

The Glenn H. Brown Prizes Awarded for the best Ph.D. theses in liquid crystal science. Typically, four prizes are awarded every two years.
The Samsung Display Mid-Career Award and The LG Display Mid-Career Award -two separate awards honoring mid-career scientists for significant and sustained contributions to liquid crystal research and applications.
The Michi Nakata Award recognizes early-career (postdoctoral) researchers for exceptional independent scientific achievements and strong research potential.
Election as Honored Member of ILCS -a distinguished recognition for individuals who have made exceptional scientific contributions and long-term service to the liquid crystal community and ILCS.
The Pierre-Gilles de Gennes ILCS Prize - the highest honor of the ILCS, awarded for groundbreaking achievements and lasting impact on liquid crystal science.

For all awards, the nomination deadline is April 30, 2026. Detailed nomination guidelines, eligibility criteria, and required documentation are available on the ILCS website (Honors and Awards). The award recipients will be announced by June 1, 2026, and all awards will be formally presented during the 30^th International Liquid Crystal Conference (ILCC), to be held in Québec City, Canada, from June 21 to June 26, 2026. Award recipients will be invited to present lectures at the conference, highlighting their scientific achievements and contributions to the liquid crystal community.

ILCS warmly encourages the community to submit nominations and hopes to receive a large and diverse number of nominations, reflecting the breadth, excellence, and vitality of liquid crystal research across all career stages.

Liquid Crystals Conference LCXXX

Ana Almeida — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 16:56:01 GMT

We are please to invite you to attend the Conference OP211 - Liquid Crystals Conference LCXXX at SPIE Optics + Photonics that will take place in San Diego, USA from 23^rd to 27^th of August, 2026.

Stay tuned for updates on Conference topics, invited speakers, and key deadlines on the official conference website https://spie.org/OP26P/conferencedetails/liquid-crystals.

We look forward to seeing you in beautiful San Diego for an inspiring Week of science and collaboration.

ILCC2026 - 30th International Liquid Crystal Conference

Ana Almeida — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:06:51 GMT

We are please to invite you to attend the 30th International Liquid Crystal Conference that will will take place in Québec City from June 21^st to June 26^th, 2026.

Stay tuned for updates on symposium topics, invited speakers, and key deadlines on the official conference website: https://ilcc2026.org/en.

We look forward to seeing you in beautiful Quebec for an inspiring week of science and collaboration!

Call for Papers is open for SPIE’s conference ‘Liquid Crystals Optics and Photonic Devices II’

Ana Almeida — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 08:09:35 GMT

Dear Colleagues,

The Call for Papers is open for SPIE’s conference ‘Liquid Crystals Optics and Photonic Devices II’, to be held within SPIE PHOTONICS EUROPE on April 12-16, 2026.

IMPORTANT DATES

Submit an Abstract via www.spie.org/pe129

Abstract Due: 12 November 2025

Author Notification: 19 January 2026

Manuscript Due: 25 March 2026

This is the 2^nd edition of this conference in SPIE PHOTONICS EUROPE. The strong electro-optic, magneto-optic, and thermo-optic effects of liquid crystals, combined with the maturity of LCD technology, make this group of functional materials excellent candidates for next-generation tunable optics and photonic devices. Furthermore, their unique properties make them good candidates for sustainable applications.

The conference is meant to gather the community working on related topics, and papers from the following list are welcome:

light propagation and interaction with liquid crystals
tunable liquid crystal lenses and applications
liquid crystal tunable spectral filters and applications
polarization control devices and integration with systems
liquid crystal smart windows and energy devices
theoretical modeling of liquid crystal materials and devices
faster modes of liquid crystal devices
liquid crystal metamaterials
tunable resonant liquid crystal devices
liquid crystal spatial light modulators and applications
liquid crystal lasers
nonlinear optics of liquid crystals
liquid crystal elastomeric devices
novel applications of liquid crystals.

4th International Online Conference on Materials

Ana Almeida — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 13:04:10 GMT

We are please to invite you to attend the 4^th International Online Conference on Materials, which will be held online from 3^rd to 5^th of November 2025.

The 4th IOCM is completely free and Abstract submission deadline is the 14th of August 2025.

The conference is ideal for the participation of young researchers, either through oral or poster presentation. This conference has a section on Soft Matter, Composites and Interfaces, which would be suited for the members of our Liquid Crystal Society.

More details can be found at https://sciforum.net/event/IOCM2025

Job offer in Brazil at the Complex Fluids Group

Ana Almeida — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 14:27:38 GMT

We are pleased to announce a open Post-Doctoral fellowship in Brazil at the Complex Fluids Group, a successful and dynamic research group.

For more details, please visit www.ilcsoc.org/Job-Advertisements

XXIV Conference on Liquid Crystals - CLC 2025 - Registration open

Ana Almeida — Tue, 06 May 2025 15:28:38 GMT

We are pleased to invite you to attend the 24th edition of the Conference on Liquid Crystals – CLC 2025, which will be held in the beautiful Karkonosze mountains of Szklarska Poręba in Poland, from the 15th to the 19th of September 2025.

We invite you to submit an abstract for an oral or poster presentation before the May 23rd, 2025 deadline - clc2025.wat.edu.pl

The conference and accommodation will be held in the same venue, the four-star Interferie Sport Hotel Bornit.

From the success of past editions, CLC2025 is a prestigious international conference that brings together scientists and industry specialists from various research fields to share cutting-edge research, innovative applications, and the latest trends in liquid crystal technologies.

The Organizing Committee is preparing an exciting scientific program that will surely generate fruitful information exchange and cross-disciplinary interactions to spur the development of our research fields.

Important dates:

• Registration – NOW OPEN! - Register HERE

• Abstract submission deadline – May 23rd 2025

• Abstract acceptance – May 30th 2025

• Payment deadline – June 10th 2025

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or comments. We are looking forward to seeing you at CLC2025!

❅ WEBSITE ❅

❅ CONTACT ❅

With our kindest regards,

CLC2025 Organizing Committee

PLEASE NOTE: The only email address we will use to contact you is clc@wat.edu.pl, please do not trust external contacts.

Facebook Reality Labs Research Award

Ana Almeida — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 17:21:41 GMT

This year, the Facebook Reality Labs Research Awards have been granted to:

Kamal Thapa (Kent State University) – Diamond Award ($5,000)
Alvin Modin (currently at ETH Zurich) – Platinum Award ($3,500)
Peter Ropač (University of Ljubljana) – Gold Award ($2,500)

Congratulations to the awardees on this well-deserved recognition

Professor Corrie Imrie passed away

Ron Gallagher — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:25:55 GMT

It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Corrie Imrie. The international liquid crystal community has lost an excellent scientist, a cherished friend, and an esteemed colleague. Corrie's remarkable contributions to the Liquid Crystal field were matched only by his generosity of spirit. Corrie left an indelible mark not just on his work but on the lives of everyone around him. Though his absence is deeply felt, Corrie's legacy will continue to guide and inspire for future generations.

Maria Helena Godinho

Call for Applications to Host the 31st International Liquid Crystal Conference (Summer, 2028)

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 07:06:08 GMT

The following is a guide for those interested in submitting applications to host the 31st International Liquid Crystal Conference (Summer, 2028). The deadline for submissions is February 28, 2025. However, I strongly urge potential applicants to contact me well in advance. I will do my best to ensure that applications are in the proper format before they are sent to the ILCS Board for a vote.

There is no specific form for the application, but it should include the following information:

1. Conference Location: Name of the city and venue (address); short description of the city and conference location.

2. Organizing Committee: Names and affiliations of the prospective Conference Chairman, Conference Secretary, and other members of the Organizing Committee; contact details (name, address, telephone number, and email address) of a person from whom further information can be requested; experience in organizing conferences.

3. Conference Facilities: Description of the facilities, including available lecture rooms and their capacities, space for posters, copying facilities, internet connections, dining facilities, connection to public transport, and parking.

4. Accommodation: Description of the types of accommodation available, including quality, price range, location, connection by public transport with the conference site, railway, and airport.

5. Social Facilities and Program: Description of social facilities and the planned program.

6. Provisional Budget: Expected expenses and receipts, planned registration fee, external sponsorship. Note that a modest loan from the ILCS is possible to help with the expenses of planning the conference.

7. Additional Information: Any further information that you think will support your application, such as relevance for all members and constituents, diversity, openness, inclusion, and logistical and financial support for young scientists and students.

To expedite the application process and ensure fairness, I request that all submitted materials be electronic and compiled as a single PDF document suitable for sending as an attachment. In the past, some applications have included general brochures about the host city. Since Board members will not be able to consult these during the decision-making process, I do not believe they are particularly useful. Instead, a URL containing information about the host city and/or conference facilities could be provided for Board members to consult.

Finally, while it is both appropriate and desirable for local convention centers to assist in preparing a conference application, it is essential that there be full support from local and/or national scientific bodies. In the past, the actual application has always been submitted through such bodies.

The recipients of this email should feel free to distribute this information among colleagues who might be interested in organizing the conference.

Wei LEE

Vice President, International Liquid Crystal Society

Wei.Lee@nycu.edu.tw

21st Optics of Liquid Crystals Conference (OLC 2025), August 31-September 5, 2025, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 06:21:27 GMT

On behalf of the Taiwan Liquid Crystal Society and National Sun Yat‐Sen University, we are pleased to welcome you to the 21st Optics of Liquid Crystals Conference (OLC 2025) to be held at CHATEAU DE CHINE Kaohsiung Hotel in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, from August 31 to September 5, 2025.

Following the last OLC held in Szczecin, Poland, this conference continues to promote the development of liquid crystal science and technology research and its benefits to society as a whole. We hope that OLC2025 will provide a great platform for people from academia and industry to conduct fruitful discussions and exchange the latest developments and advances in interdisciplinary fields. We are delighted to announce the participation of individual support from leading academics and researchers from across the globe in their respective areas of focus. We sincerely invite you to attend this conference, submit a paper reflecting your current research, and achieve excellence in global LC-related R&D fields.

Taiwan, also known as Formosa — the Beautiful Island, is blessed with rich geological diversity and the beauty of a society full of friendliness and hospitality, especially in the most popular port city of sunny southern Taiwan. We look forward to seeing you at OLC2025 in Kaohsiung!

Web Addres: https://olc2025.conf.tw/

Conference: The science of defects: a tribute to the physicist Maurice Kleman

Thu, 09 May 2024 16:55:00 GMT

Dear colleagues and friends,

On October 10, 2024, we will organize a scientific day in honor of Maurice Kleman (1934-2021).

This meeting, entitled "The science of defects: a tribute to the physicist Maurice Kleman", will illustrate the richness of Maurice Kléman's scientific contributions through high-level scientific presentations.

The event will take place in Paris at the IPGG Amphitheater (6, rue Jean Calvin, 75005).

A website with the detailed program of the day and the possibility to register for this event is now online:

https://klemanconference.sciencesconf.org/

There is no registration fee, but registration is required.

We hope you will be able to join us for this event.

With best regards.

The Organizing Committee: C. Blanc, E. Lacaze, C. Quilliet, E. Raphaël and F. Sorrentino.

The 4th International Online Conference on Crystals

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:32:00 GMT

One of the eight sessions of The 4th International Online Conference on Crystals will be on Liquid Crystals, chaired by Prof Chigrinov. The meeting will be held from 18-20 September 2024 and registration is free. This is a good opportunity, especially for young researchers, to showcase their work, and prizes will be given for best presentations.

Abstract submission deadline is the 8th of May 2024 and more details are available at:

https://sciforum.net/event/iocc2024#registration?section#welcome

Prof Sergey Pikin Passed Away

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 00:15:00 GMT

It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Sergey Pikin on the 13th of January 2024. He was one of the well-known Russian researchers on liquid crystals and especially ferroelectric LCs.

Ingo Dierking