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Forming, Confining, and Observing Microtubule-Based Active Nematics
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Spontaneous phase separation and pattern formation in a lyotropic nematic mixture.

Ana Bensabat1, Órlaith Skelton1, Jochen Arlt1

  • 1School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, United Kingdom.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|July 9, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Lyotropic liquid crystals self-assemble into patterns driven by molecular orientation, not just attraction. This study reveals how orientational coupling and elasticity control large-scale self-organization in chromonic liquid crystals.

Keywords:
chromonicsliquid crystalslyotropic nematicsphase separationself-assembled smectics

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Soft Matter Physics
  • Chemical Engineering

Background:

  • Lyotropic liquid crystals exhibit complex phase behavior and self-organization.
  • The physical principles governing large-scale pattern formation in these systems are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the fundamental mechanisms driving spontaneous phase separation and pattern formation in lyotropic liquid crystals.
  • To elucidate the role of molecular orientation and elasticity in self-assembly.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical modeling
  • Computer simulations
  • Experimental studies on Sunset Yellow-water chromonic mixtures

Main Results:

  • Demixing is driven by Onsager-like coupling between nematogen density and orientational order, without assuming microscopic attractions.
  • Nematic defects initiate isotropic droplet nucleation, leading to coalescence.
  • Strong director anchoring at interfaces arrests coarsening, forming stable, microphase-separated lamellar patterns with unique features like undulations and heterogeneous spacing.

Conclusions:

  • Orientational-density coupling and elastocapillarity are key mechanisms for self-assembly in lyotropic and chromonic liquid crystals.
  • This work provides a minimal model to understand and guide self-assembly in these materials.