Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2026

Measuring Magnetically-Tuned Ferroelectric Polarization in Liquid Crystals
Published on: August 15, 2018
Thermotropic uniaxial and biaxial nematic and smectic phases in bent-core mesogens
Veena Prasad1, Shin-Woong Kang, K A Suresh
1Center for Liquid Crystal Research, P.O. Box 1329, Jalahalli, Bangalore 560 013, India.
Abstract:
Two azo substituted achiral bent-core mesogens have been synthesized. Optical polarizing microscopy and synchrotron X-ray scattering studies of both compounds reveal the existence of the thermotropic uniaxial and biaxial nematic and three smectic phases at different temperatures in these single component small molecule systems. The transition from the uniaxial to biaxial nematic phase is confirmed to be second order. The transitions from the biaxial nematic to the underlying smectic phase and between the smectic phases have barely discernible heat capacity signatures and thus are also second order.
Related Concept Videos
Membrane Fluidity
Phase Transitions: Melting and Freezing
Membrane Fluidity
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
Fluid Mosaic Model
Mechanisms of Membrane-bending
Membrane bending can happen due to intrinsic changes in lipid composition or extrinsic association with different proteins. The proteins involved...
Phase Diagrams of Ternary Systems

