Liquid crystal dynamic interfaces to mediate droplet motion and chemical transport

Liquid-infused porous surfaces have emerged as powerful platforms for manipulating droplet and interfacial transport. Incorporating liquid crystals (LCs) into these architectures introduces a new degree of control arising from molecular order. In LC-infused porous surfaces (LCIPS), droplet mobility, interfacial friction, and chemical transport become strongly coupled to the phase behavior and elastic properties of the underlying LC layer. This Feature Article reviews recent advances demonstrating how LC molecular order permits dynamic control of droplet motion, chemical release, and droplet microreactors on open LC surfaces. In contrast to conventional lubricated interfaces that rely on isotropic fluids, LCIPS use phase transitions, electric double layer interactions, and photoresponsive effects to regulate interfacial phenomena. These mechanisms allow droplets to function as mobile carriers, reaction compartments, and chemical delivery agents. We also discuss emerging opportunities and future directions in which LC molecular order may serve as a general design principle for programmable interfacial transport and surface-based chemical transformations.