Liquid Crystal
Liquid crystal (LC) is a state of matter whose properties are between those of conventional liquids and those of solid crystals. There are many types of LC phases, which can be classified by the molecular shape of their subunits, the arrangement and symmetry of the phase, as well as the method by which the liquid crystalline phase is accessed. A molecule which can access LC mesophases is called a mesogen. Just as in crystalline solids, the ordering present in liquid crystals offers anisotropic optical, electrical, and magnetic properties. Their crystalline-like anisotropy alongside their liquid-like stimuli responsiveness and flow have made LCs useful in applications in displays (notably Liquid-crystal displays), sensors, and soft robotics.
Liquid crystals can be divided into three main types: thermotropic, lyotropic, and metallotropic. Thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystals consist mostly of organic molecules, although a few minerals are also known. Thermotropic LCs exhibit a phase transition into the LC phase as temperature changes. Lyotropic LCs exhibit phase transitions as a function of both temperature and concentration of molecules in a solvent (typically water). Metallotropic LCs are composed of both organic and inorganic molecules; their LC transition additionally depends on the inorganic-organic composition ratio.
Examples of LCs exist both in the natural world and in technological applications. Lyotropic LCs abound in living systems; many proteins and cell membranes are LCs, as well as the tobacco mosaic virus. LCs in the mineral world include solutions of soap and various related detergents, and some clays. Widespread liquid-crystal displays (LCD) use liquid crystals.
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