Unique properties of liquid crystals place them as the focus of unabated research interest in a variety of disciplines, including physics, chemistry, materials science, mathematics and biology. Liquid crystals consist of organic molecules which interact weakly and thus allow thermal fluctuations, external fields and boundary effects to strongly influence their structure and properties. This sensitivity of liquid crystals raises a number of interesting new problems in basic science, offers a path of thinking about many processes in biological systems and opens numerous possibilities for technological applications. Liquid crystals have fueled the explosive growth of information technologies, making possible high-quality displays, non-mechanical beam steering devices, and switching elements in optical telecommunication networks. In fundamental sciences, liquid crystals present an example of a well-defined soft condensed matter with an unsurpassed accessibility for detailed experimental studies, analytical and computer modeling.

The Gordon Research Conference on Liquid Crystals scheduled for June 19-24, 2005 will provide a forum for discussion of ideas at the frontier of liquid crystal science and technology. Topics include chemical synthesis and physical properties of new liquid crystalline materials including low-molecular weight compounds, polymers and elastomers; lyotropic systems, including those of biological relevance; topological defects and patterns; liquid crystals as electro-optic, photonic, and sensing materials, composite systems with liquid crystalline and polymer components; modern trends in the development of liquid crystal based displays and devices.