BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk//
X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:Geometric Topology of Liquid Crystal Textures: Chirality and Bend 
 - Gareth Alexander (University of Warwick)
DTSTART:20190513T142000Z
DTEND:20190513T150000Z
UID:TALK124282@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:INI IT
DESCRIPTION:The textures and phases of liquid crystals are replete with ge
 ometric motifs\, and the geometric approach to elasticity underpins a larg
 e portion of nonlinear theories. Despite this\, the basic characterisation
  of topology comes from the homotopy theory without particular attention t
 o geometric features. I will describe our recent work developing geometric
  approaches to liquid crystal topology\, describing cholesteric point defe
 cts and topological chirality\, and the geometric features of bend distort
 ions\, illustrated by applications to the twist-bend nematic phase.
LOCATION:Seminar Room 1\, Newton Institute
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR