liquid crystal

American  

noun

1. a liquid having certain crystalline characteristics, especially different optical properties in different directions when exposed to an electric field.

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liquid crystal British  

noun

1. a liquid that has some crystalline characteristics, such as the presence of different optical properties in different directions; a substance in a mesomorphic state See also smectic nematic

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liquid crystal Scientific  

1. Any of various liquids in which molecules are regularly arrayed like a solid crystal along one or two dimensions, but are free in the other dimensions as with typical liquids. Liquid crystals often display unusual and often manipulable optical properties such as anisotropic scattering.

2. See more at LCD

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Etymology

Origin of liquid crystal

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

liquid crystal

Surprisingly, in a recent study, a research team led by Professor Hiromitsu Maeda from Ritsumeikan University, Japan, reported a novel antiaromatic π-stacking system that enabled the formation of a highly conductive liquid crystal.

From Science Daily ● May 23, 2024

In the new paper, the researchers combined two fundamental photonic technologies by embedding a layer of liquid crystal inside a waveguide.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 4, 2024

"This research leads the way to using liquid crystal properties as a modulator in photonic devices that have waveguides embedded in their whole volume."

From Science Daily ● Mar. 4, 2024

When the beam propagating inside the waveguide enters the liquid crystal layer it modifies the light's phase and polarization when an electric field is applied.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 4, 2024

Sooth to say, the oreads were somewhat dazed by the company they were keeping, and found the wine a more potent brew than the liquid crystal of their mountain streams.

From Audrey by Mary Johnston