RIVERSIDE - Chemists at the University of California, Riverside have constructed liquid crystals with optical properties that can be instantly and reversibly controlled by an external magnetic field.

The research paves the way for novel display applications relying on the instantaneous and contactless nature of magnetic manipulation, such as signage, posters, writing tablets, and billboards.

Further, the magnetic nanorods can be used to produce thin-film liquid crystals, the orientation of which can be fixed entirely or in just selected areas by combining magnetic alignment and lithographic processes.

The liquid crystals may also find applications as optical modulators, optical communication devices for controlling the amplitude, phase, polarization, propagation direction of light. (UCR)

Story Date: June 30, 2014