The Lyotropic State Of Matter

The lyotropic state of matter embraces highly concentrated solutions of soaps and detergents, as well as such biologically active substances as lipids, proteins, nucleic acids and lipopolysaccharides. Since some of the most important living lyotropic structures are biological membranes, their study is multidisciplinary, ranging from the molecular physics and physical chemistry of interfaces to living matter physics in general, and membrane biophysics in particular. Written for liquid crystal scientists who are not familiar with lyotropics and membranes, for membranologists who are not familiar with liquid crystal physics, and for experts in these fields, The Lyotropic State of Matter: Molecular Physics and Living Matter Physics presents both theory and experiment, and provides an overview of the state of the art in this exciting area of study.

Liquid crystals (LCs) were discovered more than a century ago, and were, for a long time, treated as a physical curiosity, until the development of flat panel screens and display devices caused a revolution in the information display industry, and in fact in society. There would be no mobile phones without liquid crystals, no flat screen TVs or computer monitors, no virtual reality, just to name a few of the applications that have changed our whole world of vision and perception. All of these inventions are based on liquid crystals that are formed through a change in temperature, thermotropic LCs. However, there is another form of liquid crystals, described even earlier, yet much less talked about; the lyotropic liquid crystals that occur through the change of concentration of some molecules in a solvent. These are found in abundance in nature, making up the cell membranes, and are used extensively in the food, detergents and cosmetics industries. In this collection of articles by experts in their respective research areas, we bring together some of the most recent and innovative aspects of lyotropic liquid crystals, which we believe will drive future research and set novel trends in this field.

In this thesis Johanna Bruckner reports the discovery of the lyotropic counterpart of the thermotropic SmC* phase, which has become famous as the only spontaneously polarized, ferroelectric fluid in nature. By means of polarizing optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electro-optic experiments she firmly establishes aspects of the structure of the novel lyotropic liquid crystalline phase and elucidates its fascinating properties, among them a pronounced polar electro-optic effect, analogous to the ferroelectric switching of its thermotropic counterpart. The helical ground state of the mesophase raises the fundamental question of how chiral interactions are "communicated" across layers of more or less disordered and achiral solvent molecules which are located between adjacent bi-layers of the chiral amphiphile molecules. This thesis bridges an important gap between thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystals and pioneers a new field of liquid crystal research.

Solid state physics is the branch of physics primarily devoted to the study of matter in its solid phase, especially at the atomic level. This prestigious serial presents timely and state-of-the-art reviews pertaining to all aspects of solid state physics.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Nanomaterials in Liquid Crystals" that was published in Nanomaterials

Nanoscience technology is playing a vital role in multidisciplinary research due to its unique characteristics at nanoscale as compared to bulk materials. In view of such excellent properties, like high surface area, semiconducting nature, and non-toxicity, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising means to curb pollution. Liquid and crystal nanomaterials aim for products and processes that are ecofriendly, economically sustainable, safe, and energy-efficient. One of the most popular fields widely adopted is photocatalysis of nanomaterials that involves photo-conduction in efficient removal/degradation of noxious pollutants. This book focuses on generation of liquid and crystal nanomaterials for environmental remediation.

Much more than a slight revision, this second edition of the successful "Handbook of Liquid Crystals" is completely restructured and streamlined, with updated as well as completely new topics, 100% more content and a new team of editors and authors. As such, it fills the gap for a definitive, single source reference for all those working in the field of organized fluids and will set the standard for the next decade. The Handbook's new structure facilitates navigation and combines the presentation of the content by topic and by liquid-crystal type: A fundamentals volume sets the stage for an understanding of the liquid crystal state of matter, while individual volumes cover the main types and forms, with a final volume bringing together the diverse liquid crystal phases through their applications. This unrivaled, all-embracing coverage represents the undiluted knowledge on liquid crystals, making the Handbook a must-have wherever liquid crystals are investigated, produced or used, and in institutions where their science and technology is taught. Also available electronically on Wiley Online Library, www.wileyonlinelibrary.com/ref/holc Volume 1: Fundamentals of Liquid Crystals Volume 2: Physical Properties and Phase Behavior of Liquid Crystals Volume 3: Nematic and Chiral Nematic Liquid Crystals Volume 4: Smectic and Columnar Liquid Crystals Volume 5: Non-Conventional Liquid Crystals Volume 6: Nanostructured and Amphiphilic Liquid Crystals Volume 7: Supermolecular and Polymeric Liquid Crystals Volume 8: Applications of Liquid Crystals