Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Govind Pathak, Thitima Rujiralai, Gurumurthy Hegde, Rajiv Manohar
Summary: The dispersion of nanoparticles allows the tuning of optical parameters in liquid crystalline materials. This study investigates the effect of different concentrations of porous carbon nanoparticles (PCNPs) on the optical properties of a nematic liquid crystal (NLC) as a guest-host system. The presence of PCNPs leads to increased photoluminescence intensity and reduced optical bandgap in the NLC. This work is significant for applications in liquid crystal displays and the development of low bandgap materials.
APPLIED PHYSICS A-MATERIALS SCIENCE & PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qihang Wu, Rui Xia, Chaonan Li, Yite Li, Tingting Sun, Zhigang Xie, Xiabin Jing
Summary: Ordered aggregates of liposoluble porphyrin molecules were obtained, with tetrahydrofuran and pluronic F-127 identified as the optimal candidates for forming these aggregates. The prepared aggregates (TAPP-O NPs) exhibited a red-shifted absorption spectrum, enhanced absorbance in the near infrared region, and improved photothermal activity, showing great potential for biomedical applications.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ahmad M. Labeeb, Yassmin A. Ward, Mohamed Fikry
Summary: This research article focuses on tunable photonic optical bandgap materials and devices based on cholesteric liquid crystals. Mixtures of different cholesteric liquid crystals were studied for their optical properties at various temperatures, with the optimum tuned bandgap observed in mixtures coded AMJ3 and AMJ4.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Karolina Biernacka, Faezeh Makhlooghiazad, Ivan Popov, Haijin Zhu, Jean-Noel Chotard, Luke A. O'Dell, Alexei P. Sokolov, Jennifer M. Pringle, Maria Forsyth
Summary: This study provides a detailed exploration of the structural and dynamic behavior of Hexamethylguanidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide ([HMG][FSI]) mixtures with the sodium salt NaFSI. The study reveals the formation of a new compound at specific compositions and a eutectic composition. The study also observes unusual metastable behavior in many compositions.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Nikolay Mukhin, Mykhailo Kutia, Alexander Aman, Ulrike Steinmann, Ralf Lucklum
Summary: We present a new approach to developing acoustic liquid sensors based on phononic crystals. By integrating fluidic elements into the phononic crystal structure, we achieve sensitive detection of liquid properties through a liquid-filled defect in the solid structure. The focus of this study is on the resonance modes of the liquid-filled defect and the coupling effects between the liquid and solid systems, as well as the coupling issues between piezoelectric transducers and the liquid-filled cavity resonator.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shasha Guo, Han Tao, Guang Gao, Sameer Mhatre, Yi Lu, Ayako Takagi, Jun Li, Lihuan Mo, Orlando J. Rojas, Guang Chu
Summary: In this study, all-aqueous bicontinuous emulsions with cholesteric liquid crystal domains were achieved through hierarchical colloidal self-assembly of nanoparticles. The affinity of the nanoparticles for different polymer phases allowed for the formation of cholesteric organization within one phase. This approach provides an alternative method for controlling bicontinuous structures.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yahe Wu, Shuai Zhang, Yang Yang, Zhen Li, Yen Wei, Yan Ji
Summary: This study explores the potential of magnetothermal responsiveness and covalent adaptable networks in liquid crystalline elastomers to realize versatile morphing modes and local magnetic control. Various magneto-actuated contraction-derived motions can be achieved, reprogrammed, and seamlessly assembled. The systems also exhibit favorable performances including stepwise magnetic controllability, multiresponsiveness, self-healing, and remolding ability.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Prabir K. Mukherjee
Summary: The nematic to isotropic phase transition in mixtures of nematic liquid crystal and quantum dots nanoparticles has been studied. The effects of quantum dots nanoparticles on the nematic order parameter, transition temperature, and splay elastic constant were discussed. The results showed a decrease in the nematic order parameter, transition temperature, and splay elastic constant with the increase in volume fraction of quantum dots nanoparticles.
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Victor A. L'vov, Pedro Martins, N. Pereira, Ander Garcia Diez, Hideki Hosoda, Volodymyr Chernenko, Senentxu Lanceros-Mendez
Summary: Polymer-based magnetoelectric composites, composed of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric phases, exhibit effective coupling between the magnetic and electric orders and have important advantages for various applications. However, their successful implementation strongly depends on increasing their ME voltage response.
COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Arne A. F. Froyen, Michael G. Debije, Albert P. H. J. Schenning
Summary: In this study, structural colored PDCLC coatings were prepared by mixing distinctive thermosensitive photonic microdroplets, which exhibited optical time-temperature responses. Different optical time-temperature responses can be achieved by adjusting the composition of the photonic mixtures.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mateusz Pawlak, Maciej Baginski, Pablo Llombart, Dominik Beutel, Guillermo Gonzalez-Rubio, Ewa Gorecka, Carsten Rockstuhl, Jozef Mieczkowski, Damian Pociecha, Wiktor Lewandowski
Summary: This study discovered helical nanofilaments formed by liquid crystalline (LC) dimers depending on the parity of the alkyl linker, and investigated their formation mechanism through molecular dynamics simulations. The study also found that the assembly structure of gold nanoparticles doped into the LC matrix can be tuned by controlling the pitch of the helices. Furthermore, the impact of the assembly structure on the chiral optical properties of composites was investigated.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Eduardo S. Esperanca, Mariane S. Bonatto, Mariana C. Costa, Antonio J. A. Meirelles, Guilherme J. Maximo
Summary: This study investigates the thermodynamic effects of fatty acids on the structure and solubility of cholesterol. The results show that certain lower fatty acids can alter the structure of cholesterol, forming solid solutions. The study also finds that coconut oil and palm oil can dissolve cholesterol. These phenomena may have implications for the absorption of cholesterol in the gastrointestinal tract.
FLUID PHASE EQUILIBRIA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhiyuan Ruan, Shuni Li, Alexandra Grigoropoulos, Hossein Amiri, Shayna L. Hilburg, Haotian Chen, Ivan Jayapurna, Tao Jiang, Zhaoyi Gu, Alfredo Alexander-Katz, Carlos Bustamante, Haiyan Huang, Ting Xu
Summary: Proteins in biological fluids behave according to programmed interactions at the segmental level, and synthetic heteropolymers can replicate these interactions. By extracting chemical characteristics and sequential arrangements from natural proteins, heteropolymer ensembles can mimic the functions of biological fluids and be used in various applications.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Muhammed Awad, Timothy J. Barnes, Nicky Thomas, Paul Joyce, Clive A. Prestidge
Summary: This study investigated the use of gallium protoporphyrin liquid crystalline lipid nanoparticles (GaPP-LCNP) as a photosensitizer in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). The results showed that GaPP-LCNP significantly enhanced the antibacterial activity and effectively reduced the viability of both planktonic and biofilm forms of P. aeruginosa. The findings suggest that GaPP-LCNP is a promising platform for the photodynamic inactivation of antibiotic resistant bacterial infections.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Muhammed Awad, Zlatko Kopecki, Timothy J. J. Barnes, Anthony Wignall, Paul Joyce, Nicky Thomas, Clive A. A. Prestidge
Summary: Cutaneous chronic wounds are a global problem affecting millions of people, often complicated by bacterial infections. Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacteria in infected wounds, capable of forming antibiotic-resistant biofilms. Gallium protoporphyrin lipid liquid crystalline nanoparticles (GaPP-LCNP) have shown potential as a photosensitizer against S. aureus biofilms. In this study, GaPP-LCNP demonstrated superior antibacterial activity, reducing biofilm viability and promoting wound healing in pre-clinical models. These findings open doors for further research and optimization of GaPP-LCNP for clinical applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Milan Ambrozic, Kaushik Pal, Samo Kralj, Arbresha Holbl
Summary: The impact of weak disorder on systems with long-range order is an interesting yet relatively unexplored topic. By using homogenous mixtures of liquid crystals and nanoparticles, the strength of disorder can be controlled, and the resulting configurations can be applied in the field of light-manipulation devices.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2021)
Article
Crystallography
Luka Mesarec, Ales Iglic, Veronika Kralj-Iglic, Wojciech Gozdz, Epifanio G. Virga, Samo Kralj
Summary: By considering the theoretical and positional assembly of topological defects in effectively two-dimensional nematic liquid crystal films, using a phenomenological Helfrich-Landau-de Gennes-type mesoscopic model, we introduce curvature potentials that reveal attractors for TDs seeded by curvature. Testing on axially symmetric nematic films with spherical topology helps to verify ground configurations.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ales Fajmut, Kaushik Pal, Sasa Harkai, Dejvid Cresnar, Zdravko Kutnjak, Samo Kralj
Summary: This study investigates the defect core structures of topological line defects with a winding number k = 1, demonstrating a method of creating laboratory-scale air-flow vortices to simulate dust devils. It shows that similar defect core structures can be stabilized in simple condensed matter systems, particularly in different liquid crystalline phases. The research focuses on static k = 1 line defect core structures in vector and nematic ordering, highlighting the different symmetries and conditions stabilizing singular or non-singular core structures.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
A. V. Dubtsov, S. V. Pasechnik, D. V. Shmeliova, B. A. Umanskii, Samo Kralj
Summary: The study focused on the internal ordering and electro-optical response of dual-frequency nematic liquid crystals confined to microporous polyethylene terephthalate membranes. Low/high-frequency electric fields were found to manipulate the nematic configuration, transforming the structure and impacting the propagation of near-infrared electromagnetic radiation through the composite material. These findings have implications for photonic applications.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
George Cordoyiannis, Marta Lavric, Vasileios Tzitzios, Maja Trcek, Ioannis Lelidis, George Nounesis, Samo Kralj, Jan Thoen, Zdravko Kutnjak
Summary: Recent experimental studies have focused on the nanoparticle-driven stabilization of chiral liquid-crystalline phases, showcasing the importance of understanding interactions of nanoparticles with defects and potential technological applications. The role of nanoparticle core composition, size, shape, and surface coating on stabilization effects have been demonstrated, along with comparisons to other related studies in the literature. Key mechanisms underlying the stabilization process are summarized, with prospects for future research briefly discussed.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sasa Harkai, George Cordoyiannis, Adam L. Susser, Bryce S. Murray, Andrew J. Ferris, Brigita Rozic, Zdravko Kutnjak, Charles Rosenblatt, Samo Kralj
Summary: Topological line defects, such as disclinations, are widely observed in various physical systems, including nematic liquid crystals. Understanding their properties and stability can lead to applications in photonics, detectors, and information storage devices.
LIQUID CRYSTALS REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Luka Mesarec, Ales Iglic, Samo Kralj
Summary: In this study, we numerically investigate the ordering profiles and topological defect configurations in thin nematic liquid crystalline shells controlled by local distortion of the liquid crystalline order. It is found that the geometry of the shell and the spatial variation of the local Gaussian curvature strongly influence the manipulations.
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL E
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Aleksander Zidansek, Arbresha Holbl, Amid Ranjkesh, George Cordoyiannis, Zdravko Kutnjak, Samo Kralj
Summary: This mini-review discusses bicomponent systems consisting of a liquid crystalline phase and a component that randomly disrupts the liquid crystal order. It explores the impact of different types of random perturbations on the orientational and translational order. The study focuses on systems where porous matrices or aerosil nanoparticles serve as sources of perturbation. The results show that the interplay between liquid crystal elastic forces, interfacial forces, and randomness determines the resulting behavior, characterized by long-range, quasi long-range, or short-range order. The dominance of random-field-like phenomena or interfacial effects is demonstrated, although they are often strongly intertwined in experimental systems.
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL E
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jus Polansek, Arbresha Holbl, Szymon Starzonek, Aleksandra Drozd-Rzoska, Sylwester J. Rzoska, Samo Kralj
Summary: This article discusses historical dependence behavior in domain-type configurations formed in continuous symmetry-breaking phase transitions. Domains can be arrested due to topological defects formed at domain walls, while random-field disorder and system stiffness affect domain arrestment. The interactions and structural excitations in the established domain-type patterns can be described using random matrices and eigenvectors. The characteristics of the eigenvectors will determine the behavior of the system, which can exhibit glass-type structure or critical-like phase behavior.
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL E
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sasa Harkai, Samo Kralj
Summary: This paper performs numerical simulations to study the topological defects in liquid crystals and their structures near boundaries. By simulating polarized optical microscopy images, the study reveals the structures of closed disclination loops with or without topological charges, and shows the repulsion or attraction interactions between chargeless disclination loops.
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL E
(2022)
Article
Physics, Condensed Matter
Arbresha Holbl, Kaushik Pal, Mitja Slavinec, Samo Kralj
Summary: In this article, we introduce the slave-master mechanism in the phase behavior of two-component systems. The mechanism is characterized by one component strongly influencing the other while the reverse influence is negligible. By studying thermotropic liquid crystals and mixtures, we demonstrate that qualitatively different behaviors can emerge based on the specific nature of the inter-component interaction. Mastering this mechanism could lead to various applications based on phase tunable properties.
PHYSICA B-CONDENSED MATTER
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Arbresha Holbl, Luka Mesarec, Jus Polansek, Ales Iglix, Samo Kralj
Summary: We studied general mechanisms for stabilizing localized assemblies of topological defects. Physical fields represent fundamental entities in nature and are of interest to all branches of physics. The cores of defects are energetically costly and unfavorable, but thermotropic nematic liquid crystals provide an ideal experimental platform for studying defects and have potential applications.
Article
Crystallography
Sasa Harkai, Charles Rosenblatt, Samo Kralj
Summary: In this study, we numerically investigate the reconfiguration process of colliding 1/2 strength disclinations in an achiral nematic liquid crystal. We find that under certain initial conditions, these disclinations undergo reconfiguration at critical angles, leading to the formation of new defect structures.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dejvid Cresnar, Nikita Derets, Maja Trcek, Gregor Skacej, Andraz Resetic, Marta Lavric, Valentina Domenici, Bostjan Zalar, Samo Kralj, Zdravko Kutnjak, Brigita Rozic
Summary: With the increasing environmental awareness, the focus of scientific studies has shifted towards finding more environmentally friendly heat-management techniques. Recently, the caloric properties of soft materials, such as liquid crystals and liquid crystal elastomers, have attracted attention due to their large caloric effects. Measurements have shown that these soft materials can exhibit significant caloric effects at much lower fields compared to solid caloric materials, making them promising candidates for new heat-management devices.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICS-ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Adam L. Susser, Samo Kralj, Charles Rosenblatt
Summary: A patterned surface defect of strength m = +1 can decompose into a pair of surface defects and disclination lines of strength m = +1/2, which exhibit different behaviors under an applied electric field. Experimental results suggest that the threshold for full co-revolution of defects scales with frequency ν(1/2), and the induced fluctuations and co-revolutions are strongly coupled to and driven by the presence of nematic electrohydrodynamic instabilities. This behavior implies a Lehmann-like mechanism driving the co-revolution of defects.
