The need of vision correction, including myopia, presbyopia and other ophthalmic problem, is increasing. Electrically tunable liquid crystal lenses provides a suitable solution. In this area of research, we develop liquid crystal prescription lenses and contact lenses to correct the focusing error of eyes due to physically aging or other factors. Specially, we focus on the light propagation, polarization state, aberration of focusing effect, and tunable range of diopter.

In future applications, such as 3D sensing system, AR/VR head set, and eye tracking, designers pursue electrical tunability of optical elements without mechanical moving part. Liquid crystal devices in this area enable the optical system with compactness and multi-function. We design AR system with liquid crystal lens to solve vergence-accommodation conflict; we add material recognition function in image system. In short, when we see a problem, we solve the problem with liquid crystal.

Due to the orientation of liquid crystal molecules, the wettability of liquid crystal and polymer composite film (LCPCF) is electrically tunable. Generally, water drops with Wenzel contact state are pinned and difficult to be moved. We control the movement of water drop on LCPCF via designed electric field distribution. By analyzing the dynamic contact angles and movement, we investigate the physical mechanism of water drop movement on Wenzel surfaces.

Human is facing global water scarcity and atmospheric water harvesting is one of the key solutions. The water condensation process is related to surface free energy and its distribution. On the surface of liquid crystal and polymer composite film (LCPCF), the surface free energy is electrically tunable. In addition, water drop movement is also controllable on LCPCF. With the LCPCF smart surface, we investigate the condensation process and develop atmospheric water harvesting systems.