Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhuohao Zhang, Chong Wang, Qiao Wang, Yuanjin Zhao, Luoran Shang
Summary: In this study, a printable structural color ink composed of cholesteric cellulose liquid crystals, gelatin, and a thermal-responsive hydrogel is proposed. This ink exhibits angle-independent color appearances and possesses dual thermal responsiveness, making it a promising material for next-generation 3D printing with a wide range of real-life applications.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Amid Ranjkesh, Yeongyu Choi, Jae-Won Huh, Seung-Won Oh, Tae-Hoon Yoon
Summary: A flexible cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) polymer reflector is proposed in this study to selectively control the reflection of infrared (IR) light, effectively lowering indoor temperature. The fabricated IR reflector demonstrates thinness, high mechanical stability, flexibility, durability, resistance to solvents and acids, high transparency, and low haze in visible light. This innovative approach shows promise for applications in anti-IR devices, energy-saving windows for cars, and modern building facades.
SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SOLAR CELLS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yuzhen Zhao, Min Zhu, Yang Zhao, Zemin He, Huimin Zhang, Cheng Ma, Yongming Zhang, Zongcheng Miao
Summary: This study investigates the improvement of visible light reflection efficiency by introducing a fluorescence dye-coated layer to cholesteric liquid crystal displays. The performance of the films is studied at different dye concentrations, and demonstration of reflective displays based on optimized dye-coated PSBCLC films is presented.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoli Zhang, Yongxing Guo, Yi Li, Wei Liu, Hongkun Li, Yonggang Yang
Summary: Structurally colored epoxy resin films were prepared by photopolymerization using liquid crystalline epoxy monomer and a chiral additive. The reflective wavelength can be controlled by changing the concentration of the additive, and colored patterns can be achieved by controlling the polymerization temperature. These films have potential applications in anti-counterfeiting.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Tao Xu, Runwei Yu, Wei Liu, Hongkun Li, Yi Li, Yonggang Yang
Summary: In this study, structural colored organic-inorganic hybrid silica films were prepared by incorporating a chiral dopant into an organosilane mixture. The obtained films showed selective Bragg reflection and their colors could be changed through UV irradiation. Additionally, colorful patterns were successfully achieved using masks.
JOURNAL OF SOL-GEL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Optics
Chi Zhang, Rui Niu, Pengfei Sha, Xiaoshuai Li, Hongmei Ma, Yubao Sun
Summary: This paper proposes an angle-insensitive waveplate with an inner helix structure, addressing the serious defect of angle-sensitivity in birefringent waveplates. The measured retardation-shift is significantly lower than that of conventional waveplates, and the self-compensation effect principle explains the angle-insensitivity. The application of the inner helical waveplate in wide color gamut display demonstrates its broad application prospects.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wan-Li He, Ya-Qian Zhang, Wen-Tuo Hu, Hui-Min Zhou, Zhou Yang, Hui Cao, Dong Wang
Summary: In this study, a liquid crystal composite material was developed for tuning the reflective bands. By doping specific compounds, the reflective bands can be adjusted by tuning the electric field parameters. The effects of electric field frequency, voltage, retention time, and molecular structure on the reflection bandwidth were investigated in detail.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yao Gao, Yuxiang Luo, Jiangang Lu
Summary: The article introduces a high-reflectivity cholesteric liquid crystal filter with a single-layer template that can reflect both left- and right-handed polarized light, and red, green, and blue CLC filters were fabricated using templating technology with good wavelength consistency. Additionally, a multi-phase liquid crystal filter with high reflectance was demonstrated by the single-layer templating technology, showing great potential applications in the optical community, reflective display, and lasing.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiuqin Zhan, Fa-Feng Xu, Zhonghao Zhou, Yongli Yan, Jiannian Yao, Yong Sheng Zhao
Summary: The study demonstrates full-color 3D laser displays based on circularly polarized lasers and inkjet-printed cholesteric liquid crystal arrays, showcasing vibrant colors and high fidelity in display quality.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zongcheng Miao, Xianliang Chen, Yutong Zhang, Dong Wang, Lei Wang
Summary: A flexible bistable cholesteric liquid crystal film with polymer spacer columns for displays was prepared by stepwise UV light polymerization, which showed better electro-optical performance and spacing stability.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Lu Li, Zhi-Bin Wen, Dong Li, Zhi-Yuan Xu, Ling-Ying Shi, Ke-Ke Yang, Yu-Zhong Wang
Summary: In this research, a feasible and flexible method for fabricating cholesteric liquid-crystal networks (CLCNs) with precise colors across the entire visible spectrum has been proposed. The influences of chiral and achiral LC monomers on the thermochromic behaviors of CLC precursors and the topology of the polymerized CLCNs have been systematically investigated. High-resolution multicolor patterns in one CLCN film have been generated through photomask polymerization. The freestanding CLCN films exhibit perceivable mechanochromic behaviors and repeated erasing-rewriting performances.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Optics
Arturo Reyes-Romero, J. Adrian Reyes
Summary: In this study, a planar waveguide with a confined cholesteric liquid crystal was examined, and the electromagnetic equations describing the dynamics of propagating modes were solved numerically. The study revealed the propagating parameter and the ratio between magnetic and electric modes as a function of frequency, aligning with the band structure of the modes. The profiles of electromagnetic field amplitudes and the distribution of the Poynting vector were also calculated, along with a discussion on the embodiment of transverse electric and magnetic modes in the eigen modes and their propagation conditions.
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Mathematics
Dmitry Golovaty, Michael Novack, Peter Sternberg
Summary: In this study, a one-dimensional variational problem related to a model for cholesteric liquid crystals is considered, with a focus on the higher energy penalty incurred by the twist deformation of the nematic director compared to other modes of deformation. By introducing a small parameter epsilon and an Allen-Cahn-type energy functional augmented by a twist term, the behavior of the energy as epsilon approaches zero is investigated. The existence of local energy minimizers classified by their overall twist, the Gamma-limit of the relaxed energies, and the inclusion of twist and jump terms are demonstrated.
JOURNAL OF DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
Kazuma Nakajima, Yuji Tsukamoto, Shogo Mitsuhashi, Masanori Ozaki
Summary: We investigated the lattice orientation behavior of cholesteric blue phase II on a stripe-patterned surface and found that the discontinuous change in orientational easy axis affects the lattice orientation, with the degree of impact depending on the size of the patterned region.
APPLIED PHYSICS EXPRESS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fei Wang, Jinghua Zhao, Yi Li, Wei Liu, Hongkun Li, Yonggang Yang
Summary: Polymer-stabilised cholesteric liquid crystal (PSCLC) films with selective circularly polarised light reflection have been widely studied for various applications. By using a nematic LC LC242 and a chiral compound S-6, cholesteric liquid crystal mixtures with smectic order were prepared and transformed into PSCLC films after photopolymerisation. The films exhibited broadened Bragg reflection bands due to the existence of short-range smectic order. The thermochromic behavior of the films allowed for the preparation of colorful PSCLC patterns and gratings for decoration and anti-counterfeiting.
