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Related Concept Videos

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity01:21

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
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Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals
10:35

Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals

Published on: May 29, 2018

Light-induced liquid crystallinity.

Tamas Kosa1, Ludmila Sukhomlinova, Linli Su

  • 1Alpha Micron Inc., Kent, Ohio 44240, USA. tamas@alphamicron.com

Nature
|May 19, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

New naphthopyran liquid crystals exhibit light-induced order increases, transitioning from clear to absorbing states. This discovery has implications for optics, photonics, and solar energy applications.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Optics

Background:

  • Liquid crystals are classified by their response to stimuli like heat (thermotropic) or solvents (lyotropic).
  • Photoresponsive liquid crystals typically decrease in order upon light exposure, undergoing isothermal phase transitions.
  • Previous studies observed light-induced order decrease, with rare exceptions of order increase under specific conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a novel class of naphthopyran-based liquid crystals.
  • To demonstrate photo-induced order-increasing phase transitions in these materials.
  • To explore the potential applications of these order-increasing photoresponsive liquid crystals.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis and functionalization of naphthopyran molecules.
  • Investigation of photo-induced conformational changes and their effect on molecular structure.
  • Characterization of phase transitions and order parameter changes upon light exposure.

Main Results:

  • Naphthopyran materials exhibit photo-induced conformational changes leading to order-increasing phase transitions.
  • The open form of functionalized naphthopyran molecules shows a large order parameter.
  • A clear-to-absorbing dichroic state transition was observed upon light exposure.

Conclusions:

  • This research introduces naphthopyran-based liquid crystals capable of light-induced order increase.
  • The observed phenomenon has significant potential for applications in optics, photonics, lasing, displays, and solar energy harvesting.
  • The large photo-induced dichroism is promising for ophthalmic applications like photochromic sunglasses.