Articles tagged with Liquid Crystals
Scientists have created a new class of solid-state phase change materials using sugar alcohols, which can store-and-release heat more efficiently. By confining these compounds in covalent organic framework crystals, the researchers were able to suppress supercooling and retrieve thermal energy at higher temperatures.
Researchers at Brown University have made significant breakthroughs in understanding quantum spin liquids by studying the effects of disorder on these exotic materials. The study reveals that disorder does not destroy or mimic the quantum liquid state but rather significantly alters it.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have created a soft robot that can navigate simple mazes without human or computer guidance. The new robot has an asymmetrical design, allowing it to turn and move in arcs, enabling it to navigate complex and dynamic environments.
A team of researchers has developed an innovative approach to visualize individual molecule dynamics within nanofluidic structures using super-resolution microscopy and single-photon emitters. The study reveals new insights into the behavior of liquids on a nanometer scale, opening up exciting applications in optical imaging and sensing.
Scientists have developed a new approach to study molecular behavior in confined spaces, allowing for real-time tracking of individual molecules within nanofluidic structures. This breakthrough enables the use of single-photon emitters as nanoscale probes, providing unprecedented insights into molecular properties and behaviors.
Scientists at Mainz University and TU Darmstadt developed a method to write in water by utilizing microbeads that exchange ions for protons, altering local pH values. This allows ink particles to accumulate in specific areas, creating fine lines and patterns.
Researchers discovered that Alcanivorax borkumensis biofilms consume oil by stretching droplets into tubes, allowing for efficient oil degradation. Large concentrations of dispersants can harm these biofilms, highlighting the need for further research.
Dong's research group develops unique nanocrystals that can emit light at room temperature with high efficiencies, targeting scalable quantum communication devices. By customizing the surface lattice of these nanocrystals, they aim to enhance single photon emission properties.
Researchers have created a new type of conducting polymer with a helically grown structure, which can emit circularly polarized light. The polymer's radicals are arranged in a helical shape and can be aligned into stripe-like structures when exposed to a magnetic field.
Geoscientists at Cornell University have discovered that gaseous carbon dioxide can trigger explosive eruptions in basaltic volcanoes. The research uses a new model to suggest that magma comes directly from the mantle, stored tens of kilometers below Earth's surface.
Scientists from Chiba University developed a new urea-based metal-free system that can improve data storage in devices. The system maintains polarization information upon switching to the crystalline phase, enabling long-term data storage.
Researchers used X-ray photocrystallography to study the transition metal-nitrenoid intermediate in catalytic amination reactions. The team successfully captured the structure and properties of the rhodium-acylnitrenoid intermediate, providing crucial insights into its reactivity.
Researchers at Nagoya University developed a method to process cholesteric liquid crystals into micrometer-sized spherical particles, creating a unique anti-counterfeiting QR code that can only be displayed under a specific circular polarizer. The use of chirality in these particles enables the creation of more secure codes with potent...
Ben-Gurion University researchers have discovered a new principle in optics using the Pacific Cleaner Shrimp, leading to the creation of an ultra-thin and highly efficient whitening material. The study found that the shrimp's unique arrangement of molecules creates birefringent nanospheres with brilliant whiteness.
Researchers have discovered a new phase of liquid magnetism in layered helical magnets, where magnetic dipoles behave like 'flattened puddles' with varying alignment between layers. This phenomenon, predicted by a computational model, may explain the unusual electronic behavior observed in these materials.
The USTC team has successfully developed a light-driven, programmable system for colloidal self-assembly. Through the cooperative reorganization of nanomotors, they can transport and reconfigure colloidal assemblies in various ways. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for designing micromachines and smart materials.
Researchers utilize liquid crystal droplets to visualize electric field distribution within microelectrodes, revealing rotational and translational behaviors under applied voltage. The technique provides high spatial resolution and detection accuracy, enabling defect location analysis.
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have discovered a novel method of harvesting water from naturally occurring sources like fog and dew using organic crystals. The findings hold potential for creating new technologies to utilize aerial humidity, which could combat global water scarcity.
Researchers from City University of Hong Kong developed a unified colour system based on prime numbers, called C<sub>235</sub>, which can represent various colours more efficiently than existing systems like RGB and CMYK. The new colour system has potential applications in designing energy-saving LCD systems and colourizing DNA codons.
A team of researchers at Cambridge and UCL created a novel amorphous form of ice called medium-density amorphous ice (MDA), which resembles liquid water in its solid state. MDA has a density similar to that of liquid water and displays unique properties not found in other forms of ice.
Researchers used density functional theory to investigate the mechanical properties of superionic ice XVIII, which is thought to make up a large part of Neptune and Uranus. The study found that dislocations in the crystal lattice produce shear, leading to macroscopic deformations and potentially influencing the planets' magnetic fields.
Researchers discuss the development of liquid crystal-based switchable optical devices for light protection, highlighting their advantages over conventional materials. The review article explores various light modulation principles and proposes strategies for improving light protection in different environments.
Researchers in New Zealand and Australia created metallic nanocrystals by experimenting with gallium, a soft metal that liquifies at room temperature. The resulting 'metallic snowflakes' exhibit six-branched symmetry and self-assemble using atoms, offering a novel bottom-up approach to nanostructure formation.
Eun-Ah Kim and Michael Matty identified a phase in between solid and liquid for electron crystals, revealing their behavior under certain conditions. In this intermediate phase, electrons arrange themselves into tiny strips that can move around and orient themselves.
Scientists at Tokyo Tech developed an electrostatic actuator capable of generating forces comparable to human muscles, but with lower voltage requirements. The device uses ferroelectric liquid crystals and a 3D-printed electrode to produce contraction and expansion at low voltages.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a ring-shaped soft robot capable of crawling across surfaces when exposed to elevated temperatures or infrared light. The 'ringbots' are made of liquid crystal elastomers in the shape of looped ribbon, resembling a bracelet, and can pull a small payload across various environments.
Researchers have summarized the latest developments in mass transfer techniques for large-scale and high-density microLED arrays. The techniques address key challenges such as interfacial adhesion mechanisms and process parameters to achieve high reliability and efficiency.
Researchers develop Janus Bi, a platform for creating highly asymmetrical nano-architectures with 2D materials, inspired by nature's efficient light transformation processes. The project aims to produce scalable nanotechnological objects with light conversion capabilities.
A University of Illinois team discovered liquid crystalline epoxy resins with high thermal conductivity, outperforming common polymers by up to 5 times. The breakthrough was achieved by precisely controlling the lengths of ethylene repeat units in the polymer structure.
KAUST researchers have designed a smart glass system that can encode data into the light passing through it, allowing for wireless data transmission. The system uses polarization manipulation to eliminate flicker problems and can transmit data at rates of up to 16 Kilobits per second.
Researchers at the University of Luxembourg created colour-changing CLCE fibres that can be easily sewn into fabric, shifting colours continuously from red to blue upon stretching, and remain colourful even after repeated wear and washing.
Physicists have developed a new photonic system with electrically tuned topological features, constructed of perovskites and liquid crystals. The system can be used to create efficient and unconventional light sources, mimicking the spin-orbit coupling previously observed in semiconductor physics at cryogenic temperatures.
For the first time, scientists observed the annihilation of exceptional points from various degeneration points. The researchers used an optical resonator filled with liquid crystal to study the properties of exceptional points. They found that the position of these points can be controlled by changing the voltage applied to the cavity.
Researchers have isolated a novel bacterial species, HS-3, that displays complex multicellular behavior and a reversible two-phase life cycle. The discovery reveals a previously unknown mechanism for the emergence of multicellularity in bacteria, suggesting that environmental factors played a crucial role.
Researchers developed a thin lens with a continuously tunable focal length to alleviate vergence-accommodation conflict in AR/VR devices. The Alvarez lens can change focus continuously within a large range while being compact and lightweight.
Researchers discovered that certain liquid crystals form multiple chiral smectic phases and exhibit complex crystallization processes. Slow cooling can lead to crystallization, while fast cooling promotes vitrification. Cold crystallization occurs when the sample is heated, and its kinetics are controlled by diffusion rates.
A joint team of scientists developed a terahertz spatial light modulator based on metasurface absorber and dual-frequency liquid crystal, enabling dual-color THz CS imaging. The auto-calibrated CS algorithm improves image fidelity, while frequency-switching enables Hadamard masks with negative element values.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University uncover the rapid growth of ultra-thin nanowires or 'whiskers' in organic compounds by following gas bubbles. They find that adding impurities can suppress bubble formation, allowing for controlled whisker-free growth and uniform crystalline material.
A researcher at the University of Tsukuba has developed a method for producing electrically conductive polymers with helical configurations, which can convert linearly polarized light into circular polarization. This approach may lead to cheaper and more energy-efficient electronic displays.
Researchers have developed advanced liquid crystal devices for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) displays, improving image quality and formfactor. The devices address challenges such as light efficiency, resolution density, and ambient contrast ratio, providing valuable guidelines for future LC device development.
A researcher at Eindhoven University of Technology has successfully printed a 4D-beetle that changes color when it gets wetter. The beetle uses iridescent properties and is made from liquid crystal technology, which allows it to respond to external stimuli like humidity.
Scientists have developed a transparent device that produces a hidden image when light shines on it, using liquid crystals to recreate an ancient light trick. The technology has the potential to enable reconfigurable displays and stable 3D images.
Physicists at the University of Warsaw have developed a new type of tunable microlaser that emits two linearly polarized beams, which can be controlled by rotating liquid crystal molecules. The laser has been shown to exhibit unique properties, including circular polarization and phase coherence.
The holo-imprinting method overcomes the mass production bottleneck of traditional holographic optical elements. It uses photoalignment and reflective planar LC optics to record high-quality linear polarization fields. The technique has been experimentally validated with samples exhibiting excellent optical quality.
A study by Sibani Lisa Biswal and Kedar Joshi shows that magnetically driven colloidal suspensions exhibit behavior consistent with the principles of classical thermodynamics, including vapor pressure, viscosity, and surface tension. The researchers' findings have implications for designing materials with reconfigurable properties.
Researchers at HKUST and UChicago have designed the basic elements needed for logic operations using liquid crystals, paving the way for novel computing methods. The team controlled topological defects to perform operations like amplification and switching, opening the door to potential applications in robotics and sensing.
Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg have developed a new process for producing liquid crystals that is more efficient and environmentally friendly. The approach uses multi-component reactions to simplify the production process, eliminating the need for harsh solvents and reducing energy consumption.
Scientists have designed logic operations using liquid crystals, enabling potential applications in robotics and sensing. The technique uses topological defects to carry information, offering a new approach to computing.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology discovered a liquid-state borophene oxide with high thermal stability and optical switching behavior, even at low voltages. This material has potential for widespread applications in optoelectronics and photonics due to its noncombustibility.
Researchers have pushed the limit of when water will freeze to -44 C by using soft interfaces like gels or lipids. This discovery has significant implications for climate prediction, cloud conditions, cryopreservation of organs, and technologies exposed to icing conditions.
Researchers have created a new liquid crystal compound with ultra-short helix pitch and spiral ordering, making it ideal for fast-switching devices. The material's thermally and chemically stable structure allows for easy customization of pitch lengths.
Researchers demonstrated Young's experiment for photons in reciprocal space, creating an interference pattern of light polarization with circular polarized stripes. The observation coincided with the 100th anniversary of spin discovery and showed a classic entanglement of two degrees of freedom - direction and polarization of light.
Researchers from The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science used microscopy to examine surfactant onion layers, discovering they contain defects. Their findings are crucial for designing effective therapeutic carrier systems.
Stabilized blue phase crystals could lead to new optical technologies with better response times. By using a core and shell structure, researchers were able to trap chiral liquid crystal in a 'blue phase' state, allowing for perfect, uniform crystals that can be controlled and predicted.
Scientists have designed a 4D-printed soft robot with unique properties, enabling it to roll uphill, navigate uneven terrain, and carry heavy loads. The robot's ability to adapt to its environment was a surprise discovery for the researchers, who hope to unlock new applications in confined spaces.
Researchers designed a tubular phononic crystal to sense biochemical and physical properties of liquids. The device demonstrates sensitivity to liquid density and speed of sound, making it suitable for sensing applications.
Researchers have developed a way to precisely control defects within active liquid crystals by changing the gradient of activity around them. This can be achieved through pulses of light or chemical composition changes, enabling controlled movement and behavior of these materials.
The study reveals that microswimmers propel themselves through nematic liquid crystals with non-random trajectories to minimize elastic energy. The speed of a microswimmer varies depending on whether it pushes or pulls the surrounding fluid, and becomes slower when pushing with a stronger force.
Researchers designed a cascaded LC flat optical element to achieve steering angle magnification independent of incident beam position. The system consists of two flat optical elements with phase profiles, achieving nearly diffraction-limited performance through ray-tracing simulations.
Researchers from Cornell University and Samsung create a first-of-its-kind metalens that can focus light using voltage instead of mechanically moving its components. The innovation allows for an ultrathin, electrically tunable lens with continuous zoom capabilities.