The first section of the book is devoted to discussion of basic concepts of chemistry and physics. The second section applies these concepts and extends them to three classes of materials that make the laptop possible: liquid crystals, polymers, and semiconductors. The first two classes of materials relate naturally to the molecules essential to life, thus providing an introduction to this area in an independent chapter. The third section focuses on the applied science and technology of semiconductors, digital devices, and computers, as well as liquid crystal displays. This section concludes by illustrating how these materials and technologies are combined in and make possible the laptop computer. The final section discusses applications of liquid crystals to the arts and to life. Each chapter rounds off with references to more advanced literature, exercises that test the reader's understanding, and open-ended questions that encourage the reader to explore the topics in greater depth.

Contents:

• Scientific Models
• Symmetry
• Forces and Fields
• An Introduction to Light Waves
• Atoms and Molecules
• Molecules and Matter
• Historical Interlude — A Brief History of Polymers, Liquid Crystals, and Semiconductors
• Polymers
• Liquid Crystals
• Semiconductors
• The Molecules of Life
• Digital Devices and Microcomputer Basics
• Liquid Crystal Displays
• Putting It All Together — The Laptop Computer
• Liquid Crystals in the Visual Arts
• Lyotropic Liquid Crystals and Life

“In a book this size it would be impossible to explore the depths of each topic; but Fisch builds a good set of models and explanations as he goes. If readers want to learn what underlies much of modern technology as well as a little about the chemistry of life, they can find a good introduction in this book.”