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Flower and coral shaped droplets containing liquid crystal molecules
A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania shows how droplets containing chain-like liquid crystal molecules transform into complex shapes when the temperature drops. Among the shapes researchers created were these flowers (center) and corals. The researchers controlled the shapes by changing the ratio of long- to short- rod-like mesogens in the droplets.
[Research supported by National Science Foundation grants DMR 1607378 and DMR 1720530.]
Learn more in the University of Pennsylvania news story Drops of liquid crystal molecules branch out into strange structures. (Date image taken: January 2020; date originally posted to NSF Multimedia Gallery: May 27, 2020)
Credit: Wei-Shao Wei, Arjun G. Yodh, and Felice Macera, Department of Physics and Astronomy & LRSM, University of Pennsylvania
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