Liquid crystals (LCs) are undergoing a scientific renaissance, both fundamentally and technologically, and they have become a pervasive feature of everyday life. The exploration of these molecular materials is still a challenge since the rapid development of display technology demands new liquid crystal materials, which possess as wide range of properties as possible. The phase structures in these materials constitute challenging research problems. Liquid crystal display technology has integrated itself into many facets of our daily lives. They have truly been instrumental in the progression and development of electronic devices.

The development and application of materials with well-defined molecular and bulk properties are becoming increasingly important for contemporary technologies. The ability to simulate/synthesize new LC materials with properties and functions far beyond our current reach could lead to meso/nanoscale electronic and mechanical devices that far outstrip our current technological capabilities.

We invite investigators to submit original research and review articles on current trends and future perspectives of liquid crystal research. This special issue addresses both basic and applied problems, concentrating on four major areas, that is, molecular design, simulation, synthesis, and characterization of liquid crystal materials. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Computer-aided molecular design
• Synthesis and characterization
• Hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals
• Macroscopic and microscopic properties
• Phase structure and phase transitions
• Electro- and thermooptical effects
• Display device architecture
• Polymeric and biological liquid crystals
• Theory and modeling
• Ferroelectric and antiferroelectric liquid crystals
• Metallomesogens
• Liquid crystal/colloid composites

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/acmp/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: