2H NMR studies of liquid crystal elastomers: Macroscopic vs. molecular properties

► Order parameters by 2H NMR of 2H-labelled liquid crystal elastomers and 2H-labelled probes in LCEs. ► Crosslinking density vs. thermodynamic features of the paranematic-nematic transition. ► Heterogeneity of real samples, phase biaxiality and coupling between strain and order. ► Comparison between liquid crystal elastomers and non-mesogenic elastomers. ► Comparison between liquid crystal polymers and liquid crystal elastomers.