Novel Memory Effect Found in Nematic Liquid Crystal/Clay Mineral Composites

Abstract

AbstractNovel liquid crystalline composites composed of a nematic two-frequency-addressing liquid crystal and organized clay mineral have been prepared. The particles of the clay mineral were dispersed homogeneously in the liquid crystal. The composite cells displayed a reversible and multistable electro-optical effect between transparent and turbid light scattering states by changing the frequency of the electric field. The light transmittances of both transparent and light scattering memory states did not change after 15 hrs without the electric field applied.