The response in capacitance to low external magnetic fields (up to 0.1 T) of suspensions of spherical magnetic nanoparticles, single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), SWCNT functionalized with carboxyl group (SWCNT-COOH), and SWCNT functionalized with Fe3O4 nanoparticles in a nematic liquid crystal has been studied experimentally. The volume concentration of nanoparticles was $\phi${}1=10$-${}4 and $\phi${}2=10$-${}3. Independent of the type and the volume concentration of the nanoparticles, a linear response to low magnetic fields (far below the magnetic Fr\'eederiksz transition threshold) has been observed, which is not present in the undoped nematic.

We report on the distribution spectra of the fluctations in the amount of power injected into a liquid crystal undergoing electroconvective flow. The probability distribution functions (PDFs) of the fluctuations as well as the magnitude of the fluctuations have been determined in a wide range of imposed stress both for unconfined and confined flow geometries. These spectra are compared to those found in other systems held far from equilibrium, and find that in certain conditions we obtain the universal PDF form reported by S. T. Bramwell et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 3744 (2000)]. Moreover, the PDF approaches this universal form via an interesting mechanism whereby the distribution’s negative tail evolves towards form in a different manner than the positive tail.

Equilibrium shapes of the nematic–smectic-B liquid-crystal interface have been investigated. Three types of smectic-B germs with different orientation in a quasi-two-dimensional geometry have been found at small undercooling. Two of these have a similar, rectanglelike shape with two long faceted sides; the third is circular with a small hexagonal modulation. By heating the rapidly grown smectic phase the nematic phase is nucleated below the phase transition. Nematic monodomains were detected for different alignments having a nonfaceted, oval form. From the shape of the germs the angle dependence of the surface tension was determined.

Three types of smectic-B (Sm-B) germs with respect to the director orientation inside and outside the germ have been found. Two of them are planar and one is homeotropic. The equilibrium shapes have been recorded and the angle dependence of the surface tension has been determined by Wulff construction. The planar germs undergo a dramatic change of morphology as a function of undercooling, starting from an elongated, rectanglelike shape to dendritic growth of fourfold symmetry. Near equilibrium the homeotropic germs have a circular form with a small hexagonal modulation, and show a dense branching morphology for larger undercoolings. Growth rates have been measured and compared for all types of germs in a wide range of undercooling.