2 Phases of Lyotropic Chromonic Liquid Crystals (IMAGE)

University of Pennsylvania

2 Phases of Lyotropic Chromonic Liquid Crystals

Caption

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Swarthmore College describe new research into a type of liquid crystal that dissolves in water rather than avoids it as do the oily liquid crystals found in displays. This property means that these liquid crystals hold potential for biomedical applications, where their changing internal patterns could signal the presence of specific proteins or other biological macromolecules. Here, LCLC droplets are shown in columnar (above) and nematic (below) phases. The inset illustrations show the patterns of their internal structures.

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University of Pennsylvania

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