Tuneable complexity of liquid crystalline composites

We present the rich diversity and tuneable complexity that emerge from composites containing a liquid crystal phase. Key mechanisms enabling diversity and tuneability of resulting configurations are introduced. In this respect, we focus on continuous symmetry breaking and topological defects, which feature universal characteristics across physical systems. Therefore, existing knowledge from other physical systems can be exploited and transferred to LC composites. We discuss, among others, the Kibble-Zurek mechanism and the Imry-Ma theorem, originally introduced in cosmology and magnetism, respectively. We illustrate how these concepts can be used to tune specific configurational characteristics and design remotely rewirable or switchable properties. The resulting configurations could lead to effectively new materials, with tailored and multifunctional properties, and numerous revolutionary applications.