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Related Concept Videos

The Colloidal State01:29

The Colloidal State

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The formation of a colloidal system is exemplified by an aqueous solution containing Cl− ions is introduced to another containing Ag+ ions, resulting in the precipitation of solid AgCl as extremely tiny crystals. Instead of settling out as a filterable precipitate, these crystals remain suspended in the liquid, showcasing a colloidal system.A colloidal system involves colloidal particles within the approximate range of 1 to 1000 nm in at least one dimension, dispersed in a medium called...
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Unit Cells01:18

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A crystal's internal structure is an orderly array of atoms, ions, or molecules, and the details of this array significantly influence the solid's properties. In a crystal, periodically repeating 'structural motifs' - which could be atoms, molecules, or groups thereof - create a 'space lattice.' This is essentially a three-dimensional, infinite array of points, each surrounded by its neighbors in an identical way, forming the basic structure of the crystal.A 'unit cell' is a theoretical...
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Crystal Field Theory
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
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The size of the unit cell and the arrangement of atoms in a crystal may be determined from measurements of the diffraction of X-rays by the crystal, termed X-ray crystallography.
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Diffraction is the change in the direction of travel experienced by an electromagnetic wave when it encounters a physical barrier whose dimensions are comparable to those of the wavelength of the light. X-rays are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths about as long as the distance between neighboring...
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Structures of Solids

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Solids in which the atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite repeating pattern are known as crystalline solids. Metals and ionic compounds typically form ordered, crystalline solids. A crystalline solid has a precise melting temperature because each atom or molecule of the same type is held in place with the same forces or energy. Amorphous solids or non-crystalline solids (or, sometimes, glasses) which lack an ordered internal structure and are randomly arranged. Substances that...
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Metallic Solids02:37

Metallic Solids

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Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
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Confocal Imaging of Confined Quiescent and Flowing Colloid-polymer Mixtures
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Colloidal liquid crystals in rectangular confinement: theory and experiment.

Alexander H Lewis1, Ioana Garlea, José Alvarado

  • 1Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK.

Soft Matter
|August 27, 2014
PubMed
Summary

This study explores nematic liquid crystal behavior in rectangular wells using theoretical models and experiments. Researchers identified distinct equilibrium states and estimated material properties for filamentous virus particles.

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Area of Science:

  • Soft Matter Physics
  • Liquid Crystal Science
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Nematic liquid crystals exhibit complex equilibrium states in confined geometries.
  • Understanding these states is crucial for applications in displays and sensors.
  • Previous studies have reported 'diagonal' and 'rotated' solutions in rectangular wells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To theoretically and experimentally investigate nematic liquid crystal equilibria in shallow rectangular wells.
  • To derive analytical expressions for director fields and energies.
  • To compare theoretical predictions with experimental observations using filamentous virus particles.

Main Methods:

  • Two-dimensional Oseen-Frank continuum theory with strong tangent anchoring.
  • Microscopic mean-field approach with numerical minimization.
  • Confocal scanning laser microscopy to obtain experimental director profiles.

Main Results:

  • Explicit analytical expressions for 'diagonal' and 'rotated' nematic director fields and energies were derived.
  • These expressions distinguish defect energies from bulk distortion energy.
  • Simulations suggest the existence of metastable states with internal defects.
  • Experimental data from wild-type fd-virus and Y21M variant align with theoretical predictions.
  • Estimates for the extrapolation length of fd-virus were obtained by combining energy expressions and experimental frequencies.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides a comprehensive understanding of nematic liquid crystal equilibria in confined rectangular geometries.
  • The derived analytical expressions offer valuable insights into director field configurations and energies.
  • Experimental validation using filamentous viruses confirms theoretical models and yields quantitative material property estimates.