As compared to engineering polymers (EPs) and polymer composites, polymer liquid crystals (PLCs) have many attractive properties. Moreover, ordinary equipment for thermoplastic processing can be used for PLCs; often PLCs have lower viscosities than EPs, or addition of a PLC to an EP lowers the viscosity of the latter by two orders of magnitude. This book covers inorganic, organic as well as non-covalently bonded PLCs. It describes their mechanical properties and performance, thermophysical characteristics, which is the basis for intelligent processing, and also relations between properties of blends and of individual components. A chapter on computer simulations, explaining how computer modeling is being used to develop stronger polymer-based composites, is included. This book will prove an invaluable reference to all those working with polymer liquid crystals and advanced materials.