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Ionic crystals consist of two or more different kinds of ions that usually have different sizes. The packing of these ions into a crystal structure is more complex than the packing of metal atoms that are the same size.
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Synthesis of Biocompatible Liquid Crystal Elastomer Foams as Cell Scaffolds for 3D Spatial Cell Cultures
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Advances in Biological Liquid Crystals.

Jianguo Zhao1,2, Utku Gulan3, Takafumi Horie4

  • 1Quanzhou Institute of Equipment Manufacturing, Haixi Institutes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Quanzhou, 362200, China.

Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|March 21, 2019
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Summary

Biological liquid crystals exhibit lyotropic properties in vitro and in vivo. This study explores their phase transitions, orientational ordering, and the impact of stimuli on passive and active systems.

Keywords:
active liquid crystalsbiological soft matterphase transition

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Area of Science:

  • Soft Matter Physics
  • Biophysics
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Biological liquid crystals are ubiquitous natural soft materials with rod-like structures.
  • They display lyotropic liquid crystalline phases both in vitro and in vivo, including cellular membranes and DNA.
  • These materials can undergo phase transitions in response to various external stimuli.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a fundamental understanding of interactions and orientational ordering in biological liquid crystals across multiple length scales.
  • To investigate the physical properties of passive liquid crystalline systems, including phase transitions and multi-phase coexistence.
  • To explore the dynamics and self-organization of active liquid crystals driven by physical stimuli.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of physical properties dependence on first-order phase transitions in passive systems.
  • Investigation of stimuli-driven reorganization and steady-state alignment of passive particles.
  • Review of recent advances in the dynamics of active liquid crystals, including self-propelled elements and topological defects.

Main Results:

  • Physical properties of nonmotile biological liquid crystals are dependent on phase transitions and multi-phase coexistence.
  • Applied physical stimuli can induce reorganization and new steady-state alignments in passive liquid crystalline systems.
  • Active liquid crystals exhibit dynamic behaviors such as motile topological defects and active turbulence, correlating with orientational ordering and cellular functions.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the interactions and ordering principles of biological liquid crystals is crucial for manipulating their properties.
  • Stimuli-responsive phase transitions and self-organization are key features of both passive and active biological liquid crystals.
  • Future research holds significant implications for potential applications in various fields, leveraging the unique properties of these materials.