The scientists visualize that the structures, as soon as formed, might serve as spiral scaffolds in which to assemble elaborate molecular structures. The group seeks to comprehend the mechanics underlying fluid changes, which could be used to create new, reconfigurable materials.Exploring Fluid DynamicsIn their brand-new study, the researchers focused on a special type of nematic liquid crystal– a water-based fluid that consists of microscopic, rod-like molecular structures.”It was unexpected that it formed any structure, but even more surprising once we actually understood what type of structure it formed,” Bischofberger says. At a slower, in-between flow, the structures begin to wiggle, then gradually twist like tiny props, each one turning a little more than the next.If the fluid continues its slow flow, the twisting crystals assemble into big spiral structures that appear as stripes under the microscopic lense. “Its kind of amazing that individual structures, on the order of nanometers, can assemble into much bigger, millimeter-scale structures that are very bought, just by pressing them a little bit out of stability.
The scientists picture that the structures, once formed, might serve as spiral scaffolds in which to assemble elaborate molecular structures.”It was unexpected that it formed any structure, but even more surprising once we really knew what type of structure it formed,” Bischofberger states. At a slower, in-between flow, the structures start to wiggle, then progressively twist like small props, each one turning a little more than the next.If the fluid continues its sluggish flow, the twisting crystals assemble into large spiral structures that appear as stripes under the microscope.