Liquid crystal research, future applications advance
University of Massachusetts Amherst mathematician Robert Kusner explains the observed
Liquid Crystals
Articles tagged with Liquid Crystals
MIT researchers discover a new kind of magnetism
Researchers at MIT have discovered a new type of magnetism called quantum spin liquid, which exhibits constant magnetic orientation fluctuations resembling those of molecules in a true liquid. The discovery has significant implications for data storage and communications technologies.
SIAM’s John von Neumann Lecture awarded to John Ball
Sir John Ball received the SIAM John von Neumann Lecture award for his pioneering work on existence theorems and constitutive models in nonlinear elasticity. He delivered a lecture on Liquid Crystals for Mathematicians, explaining the math behind this multi-billion dollar industry.
UCLA scientists unlock mystery of how 'handedness' arises
Researchers used lithography to create achiral particles that spontaneously formed chiral super-structures with distinct orientations. Entropy played a key role in the emergence of chirality, contradicting traditional views on disorder and order. The discovery sheds new light on the physical origins of molecular handedness.
At smallest scale, liquid crystal behavior portends new materials
Scientists discovered that liquid crystals can spontaneously create nanoscale morphologies, leading to new classes of materials with unique properties. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in fields such as biosecurity, healthcare, and biology research.
Optical Materials Express Focus Issue: Liquid Crystal Materials
The Optical Society published a Focus Issue on Liquid Crystal Materials for Photonic Applications, showcasing breakthroughs in reversible phototuning of lasing frequency and polymer-stabilized blue-phase liquid crystals. These advancements have significant implications for next-generation displays and optical devices.
Supercool
Researchers found that water changes its molecular structure to form 'intermediate ice' at -55 F, allowing it to remain liquid below the traditional freezing point. The discovery sheds light on atmospheric scientists' need to predict global climate patterns and how much solar radiation is absorbed by atmospheric water and ice.
Physicists turn liquid into solid using an electric field
Researchers at Georgia Tech discovered that a strong electric field can induce solidification in liquid droplets of formamide, forming crystallites. The study used molecular dynamics simulations to track the evolution of materials systems and found that increasing the field strength led to shape transitions and eventually solidification.
Rice University lab develops technique to control light from nanoparticles
Researchers at Rice University have created a technique to control plasmonic scattering from nanoparticles using liquid crystals. By applying an electric field, the alignment of liquid crystal molecules can be manipulated, acting as a shutter to switch the nanorods' signals like a traffic light.
Profound reorganization in brains of adults who stutter
A new study reveals that adults who stutter have a brain reorganization that shifts the processing of hearing and motor functions to the right hemisphere. This finding sheds light on the mechanisms underlying persistent developmental stuttering.
Flowing structures in soft crystals
Tiny particles in liquids form cluster crystals that exhibit regular structures and flow like strings under mechanical strain, altering viscosity. The behavior is the same for all types of cluster crystals, with critical strains predicted using a simple theoretical model.
Replacing the blue bloods
Researchers have discovered liquid crystals that can detect low concentrations of bacterial endotoxin with high sensitivity. This breakthrough has the potential to replace the current LAL assay using horseshoe crab blood, reducing costs and variability associated with the test.
Liquid crystal droplets discovered to be exquisitely sensitive to an important bacterial lipid
Researchers at UW-Madison discovered that liquid crystal droplets change ordering in response to low concentrations of endotoxin, a bacterial lipid. This defect-driven phenomenon offers a highly sensitive detection method for bacterial contamination.
First practical nanogenerator produces electricity with pinch of the fingers
Scientists have developed the first commercially viable nanogenerator that can generate electricity using body movements like a finger pinch. The device is powered by zinc oxide nanowires and has improved power output by thousands times and voltage by 150 times.
Abnormal control of hand movements may hint at ADHD severity in children
Researchers found that mirror movements, a type of abnormal motor control, were more prevalent in children with ADHD and associated with the disorder's severity. The studies suggest a potential new marker for ADHD diagnosis and treatment.
World's first microlaser emitting in 3-D
Researchers develop a microdroplet 3D laser system using cholesteric liquid crystals, producing the world's first practical three-dimensional laser. The design is small, tunable, cheap, and can be made by millions in seconds.
Scientists perfect new nanowire technique
Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed a novel technique to control molecular alignment in discotic liquid crystals, enabling the creation of stable nanowires. These wires could be used in low-cost biosensors for water quality testing and next-generation electronic devices.
New type of liquid crystal promises to improve performance of digital displays
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have created a new class of liquid crystals with enhanced electric dipoles, promising to improve the performance of digital displays. The newly developed liquid crystals also possess a unique 'zwitterionic' structure, which sets them apart from existing materials.
Chemists grow crystals with a twist -- and untwist
Chemists from NYU and Russia's St. Petersburg State University have created crystals with a twisting mechanism that reverses when they thicken, creating needles with colorful helical structures.
Liquid crystals light way to better data storage
Scientists have developed a stable, rewritable memory device that exploits liquid crystal properties to store and erase data. The device uses anchoring transition and is bi-stable, retaining its orientation without needing power.
The secret life of water at very low temperatures
University of Utah chemists confirm the coexistence of ice and liquid water after crystallization at very low temperatures. They found that rapid ice crystallization makes it difficult to follow the process, but computer simulations revealed a critical temperature zone that may be important for understanding cloud formations.
Giant 'microscope' trained on glass transition
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed an electrostatic levitation chamber to study the glass transition, a phase transition from liquid to solid. The 'microscope' uses neutrons as a probe to observe atoms in suspended drops of liquid as they cool and solidify.
Brandeis wins $1 million Keck Foundation grant to research active matter
Researchers at Brandeis will explore the behavior of active matter using interdisciplinary approaches, aiming to shed light on biological structures like flagella beating. The project seeks to elucidate the properties of active matter at length scales ranging from microscopic to macroscopic.
Chemists get custom-designed microscopic particles to self-assemble in liquid crystal
Chemists have successfully designed and observed custom-shaped microparticles interacting and self-assembling in a controlled manner within a liquid crystal. The discovery opens up possibilities for the creation of larger-scale assemblies with various applications in photonics, optical communication networks, and other fields.
Ames Laboratory scientist using low-gravity space station lab to study crystal growth
Researcher Rohit Trivedi conducts crystal growth experiments on the International Space Station using a mini lab called DECLIC. The goal is to understand how materials form crystals and how variations affect crystallization patterns, which govern material properties.
Physicists make crystal/liquid interface visible for first time
Researchers have made the crystal/liquid interface visible for the first time using tiny plastic balls to model states of matter. The study reveals a narrow region known as the 'zone of confusion' where the boundary between solid and liquid states fluctuates rapidly, contradicting previous theories.
Stirred, not shaken: Bio-inspired cilia mix medical reagents at small scales
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a prototype that mixes tiny volumes of fluid or creates a current to move small particles, speeding up biomedical reactions. The device uses flexible rubber structures with fingers that mimic biological cilia, overcoming obstacles faced by previous teams.
A tiny frozen microbe may hold clues to extraterrestrial life
Researchers have found a novel bacterium, Herminiimonas glaciei, trapped under glacial ice in Greenland for over 120,000 years. The tiny microbe, 10-50 times smaller than E. coli, has survived in extreme conditions and may provide insights into extraterrestrial life.
MIT: Solving the mysteries of metallic glass
Researchers at MIT have made significant progress in understanding the mysteries of metallic glass, a class of materials that has resisted analysis for decades. The discovery could lead to the rapid creation of useful new glasses made from metallic alloys with unique physical and magnetic properties.
Case Western Reserve University researcher improves LCDs with 3-D nanoimaging process
Researchers have developed a method for 3D optical imaging of anisotropic fluids like liquid crystals, allowing for detailed understanding of molecular order. The technique enables precise control over liquid crystal displays in devices such as TVs and laptops.
Kent State awarded more than $14M to study liquid crystals and soft matter
The research center will focus on soft materials, building upon a solid foundation of liquid crystal research. The project aims to accelerate the development of new products at Ohio-based companies, supporting regional economic priorities.
Graphene-based gadgets may be just years away
Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed tiny liquid crystal devices with graphene electrodes, paving the way for computer and TV displays based on this technology. The graphene-based films are highly transparent and conductive, making them ideal for applications in various electro-optical devices.
Liquid crystal phases of tiny DNA molecules point up new scenario for first life on Earth
Researchers at CU-Boulder and University of Milan found that short segments of DNA can assemble into liquid crystal phases with 'self-orient' properties, paving the way for a new scenario on the origin of life. The discovery was made by observing how short DNA segments could condense into droplets in which conditions are favorable for ...
Student first in United States to receive prestigious science prize
David Wiant, a doctoral candidate at Kent State University, has won the Otto Lehmann Award for his outstanding thesis work in liquid crystal technology. The award recognizes Wiant's talent and diligent efforts in pursuing a career in academia.
Mechanoluminescence event yields novel emissions, reactions
A recent study by University of Illinois researchers has revealed extensive atomic and molecular spectral emission not previously seen in a mechanoluminescence event. The findings also include the first report of gas phase chemical reactions resulting from a mechanoluminescence event.
Scientists identify molecular cause for one form of deafness
Researchers have discovered that mutations in the espin protein can impair hearing by causing floppy bundles of protein filaments in hair cells. This structure change prevents the transmission of nerve impulses to the brain, leading to deafness. The findings offer a potential 'rescue' mechanism for this form of deafness.
Liquid crystals stabilized
New columnar discotic liquid crystals stabilized by hydrogen bonds exhibit highly stable mesophases and ease of processing, making them suitable for applications such as solar cells. The research demonstrates a synergy between bonding interactions to achieve well-ordered aggregates.
Colluding with colloids: Scientists make liquid crystal discovery
Researchers at Kent State University have discovered a method to manipulate colloids and liquid crystals, leading to the creation of ferroelectric nanoparticles that can significantly impact material properties. This breakthrough could result in more efficient liquid crystal displays and new applications for liquid crystals.
Protective garment
Researchers have developed a breathable protective garment material that blocks toxic vapors while allowing water vapor to pass through, maintaining personal comfort and safety. The material is lightweight and selectively rejects chemical agents, making it an ideal solution for military personnel and emergency services.
Self-aligning liquid crystal technique could simplify manufacture of display devices
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new technique for creating vertical alignment among liquid crystal molecules, eliminating the need for manual rubbing and potentially increasing device yield. The technique uses in-situ photopolymerization to create a cellular matrix of liquid crystalline droplets with con...
Fast-freeze snapshot yields new picture of nerve-muscle junction
Researchers used a flash-freeze physical-fixation technique to study nematode worms and found that membrane packets of neurotransmitter localize in new places. The technique provides an accurate picture of where synaptic proteins cluster, information previously unknown to scientists.
Polymers show promise for lab-on-a-chip technology
LCPs have shown promise as a microscale building block for lab-on-a-chip devices. They can be fabricated and patterned on a microscale, converting thermal, chemical, and electromagnetic stimuli into mechanical energy.
Order by motion
Researchers at Max Planck Institute propose a biomimetic model system where molecular motors create spatial order in cytoskeletal filaments, defying basic physical principles. The model suggests that motor activity enhances the tendency for filaments to align and order, even in the presence of constant motion.
Boomerang-shaped liquid crystals focus of new study
Researchers at Kent State University are studying a new class of liquid crystal molecules with a boomerang shape to enhance flexoelectricity. This phenomenon has the potential to be used in environmentally friendly micro-power generators.
Ring-like formations in drying DNA drops could affect hybridization studies
Researchers discovered ring-like formations in drying DNA droplets that can impact hybridization studies. These formations, created by stresses propagating from the rim inward through a liquid crystal, should be accounted for in array design.
Companies license real-time pathogen detection technology developed at Kent State, NEOUCOM
Kent State and NEOUCOM researchers developed liquid crystal biosensor technology to quickly detect harmful pathogens. This technology has the potential to diagnose infectious diseases within minutes, enhancing health, safety, and economic vitality in Ohio communities and the nation.
Scientists unlock the mystery of the mechanics of liquid crystal alignment
Researchers at Kent State University reveal that all LCD surfaces align parallel to anisotropic surface roughness. The study reveals new insights into the structure and behavior of liquid crystals on various glass substrates.
American Physical Society honors outstanding achievements of two Brandeis scientists
Brandeis University physicists Meyer and Redfield have been honored by the American Physical Society for their pioneering contributions to liquid crystals and biological physics. Their research has led to significant advancements in technologies such as LCD displays, with over 50,000 new liquid crystal materials developed.
Snapshots at the atomic border
Researchers use high-resolution transmission electron microscope to study interactions at solid-liquid interfaces, observing density fluctuations and atom ordering in liquid aluminium. The findings suggest that crystals can induce the ordering of atoms in liquids, even in metal-ceramic systems at high temperatures.
Stimulating the brain makes the fingers more sensitive
A short course of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) increases finger sensitivity by 15% immediately after treatment, with effects lasting up to two hours. The brain map representing the index finger also enlarges in response to rTMS, corresponding to increased sensory perception.
W.M. Keck Foundation grant advances study of biocompatible liquid crystals
Researchers at Kent State University will examine nanometer-scale interactions between liquid crystal living cells, DNA, and proteins to reveal new information about biological systems. The study could lead to applications for real-time microbial detection and controlled drug delivery.
Researchers uncover secrets behind nanotube formation
Scientists uncover how multi-walled carbon nanotubes are formed inside glass-coated liquid carbon via the pure carbon arc method. The research team discovered that carbon crystals form inside drops of glassy liquid carbon, which cool at a faster rate than the surrounding nanotube, resulting in a glassy appearance.
LCD as a molecular magnifying glass
Researchers have created a surface that can align liquid-crystal molecules, enabling the construction of LCDs and opening up the possibility of biosensors. The aligned liquid crystals can detect the presence of certain types of DNA without additional equipment.
Stretching the imagination
These materials have potential uses in lasers, drug detection, and sensors, offering new possibilities for applications with minimal energy cost. Professor Warner's research has increased interest in liquid crystal elastomers, which could lead to further discoveries.
Bizarre attractive force found in mayonnaise
Scientists at Rice University have discovered an attractive force in mayonnaise using the phenomenon of negative normal stress. This finding has significant implications for the development of new emulsions and dispersions with practical applications.
Penn researchers introduce a new nanotube-laced gel, create new means of aligning nanotubes
Researchers created a gel that effectively increases isolated single wall carbon nanotube concentrations without bundling. The resulting nematic nanotube gels exhibit beautiful defect patterns and mechanical strains, opening up potential for novel composites and applications.
Doped liquid crystals allow real time holography
Researchers have developed doped liquid crystals that allow for real-time holography with significantly improved optical properties. These materials can be used in various applications, including focusing optical telescopes and creating real-time holographic movies, due to their high sensitivity to light.
NASA experiments validate 50-year-old hypothesis
Researchers used NASA's Electrostatic Levitator to prove a 50-year-old hypothesis on nucleation, a process crucial for materials and biological systems. The study showed that liquid metals resist turning into solids due to an atomic 'nucleation barrier', a fundamental mismatch in atom arrangement.
New molecular self-assembly technique may mimic how cells assemble themselves
Researchers have developed a model that may mimic how cells assemble themselves to form large-scale supramolecular structures. The technique uses tree-like organic molecules to create spheres with complex lattices, potentially paving the way for photonics applications.
Nanocylinders open way to polymer electronics
Researchers have successfully synthesized clusters of fluorine-containing dendritic polymers that organize into tiny supramolecular cylinders. These nanocylinders display promising optoelectronic properties and can be used as donor- or acceptor groups, enabling the creation of novel electronic devices.