Modulating the properties of liquid crystals using nanoparticles as dopants

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Liquid crystals (LCs) are a fascinating state of matter. LCs are omnipresent in nature and serve as model systems for many biological membranes. Furthermore, the self-assembly of ultra-short nano-DNA segments into LC phases may well hold the key for the origin of life on our planet. The greatest technological impact of LCs, however, has been in electronic displays where the LC display (LCD) market continues to experience explosive growth. In a world with more LCDs than people, LCDs enhance the quality of people's lives worldwide and continue to revolutionize the way we communicate. The ever-growing market of mobile phones, flat panel PC monitors, high-resolution TVs, and colour viewfinders is based on the unique properties of specifically designed LC molecules and mixtures. In 2010, LCDs will occupy over 90% of the display market, which is projected to increase to US$ 124 billion/year. However, the next technological leap for LCs in display and other device applications requires new switching modes and material combinations.