Liquid crystal cell as a model of a biological system: biosensor

Abstract

The relevance of the work is determined by the constant search for new solutions in biology and medicine to create biomaterials and suspensions with specified physicochemical properties. The paper considers nematic liquid crystals of the class of two ringed ethers with different terminal groups. Thin layers (8 -100 microns) of liquid crystals were affected by an electric field. In the case when the electric field was directed perpendicular to the molecules (homeotropic orientation), a torsion moment occurred. In the case of the planar orientation of the crystal molecules with the application of an electric field, the formation of a domain pattern of the type of concentric circles was observed. It is found that the magnitude of the wave vector changes in direct proportion to the applied field. The results of the presented studies can be used in biology and medicine. The proposed liquid crystal cell can be used as a cell model of a living organism, as a biosensor or for molecular imaging to study the issues of drug delivery to cells, tissue regeneration, and the creation of new biomaterials.