Liquid Crystal

Brief Synopsis

History

• Many scientists had already observed this phenomenon of liquid crystals prior to its "discovery", however the Austrian botanist Friedrich Reinitzer is more often then not given credit for its discovery.

Friedrich Reinitzer

• Friedrich Reinitzer

Description

• Thermotropic : Order Determined by temperature

• Lyotropic

Phases

• Nematic: No positional order; long-ranger orientation order

• Smectic: Positionally ordered along one direction

• Chiral

Applications

• Many common liquids are liquid crystals (i.e. soap)

Displays

• Televisions

Thermometer

• Mood Ring

Sources

Chien, Liquid Crystal Materials, Devices, and Applications IX

Collins, Liquid Crystals