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Lyotropic liquid crystals are stabilized by strong amphiphilicity - the
tendency for spatial separation of dissimilar chemical species, e.g., oil
and water. Lyotropic LC forming compounds typically have subparts of such
dissimilar character stuck together into single molecules, which then form
LC structures in which the dissimilar parts segregate on nanometer scales.
If such molecules are also polymerizable, this LC structure can be locked
in to form a solid material, here shown in the form of a thin transparent
film of polymerized lyotropic phase having a hexagonal array of aqueous
nanocolumns parallel to the film plane. The excess humidity above dry skin
is enough to curl the film as water swells the nanocolumns. Column chemistry
can be varied to provide sensitivity to other organic and inorganic molecules.
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 Mechano-responsive Lyotropic Liquid Crystal Polymers |
