Definition

Noun: A state of matter that has properties between those of conventional liquids and solid crystals. A liquid crystal can flow like a liquid, but its molecules are oriented in a crystal-like way, often in one or two dimensions. This unique structure gives it the ability to modulate light, which is the principle behind LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screens.

Usage

• Liquid crystals are crucial materials in modern display technology.
• The scientist studied the phase transition from a solid to a liquid crystal.
• The properties of a liquid crystal change with temperature and electric fields.

Advanced Usage

• Lyotropic liquid crystal: A type of liquid crystal formed by dissolving an amphiphilic compound (like soap) in a solvent (like water) at certain concentrations.
• Thermotropic liquid crystal: A type of liquid crystal whose phase is dependent on temperature. Most display technologies use thermotropic liquid crystals.
• Nematic phase: A common liquid crystal phase where the molecules have no positional order but are aligned to have long-range directional order (they all point roughly the same way).

Variants and Related Words

• Liquid crystalline (adj): Having the properties of a liquid crystal.
• LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) (n): A flat-panel display that uses the light-modulating properties of liquid crystals.

Synonyms

• Mesophase (This is a broader scientific term for any state of matter intermediate between solid and liquid, which includes liquid crystals.)

Related Phrases and Compounds

• Liquid crystal polymer (LCP): A class of polymers that can form liquid crystal states, known for their high strength and used in engineering plastics.
• Liquid crystal thermometer: A device that uses temperature-sensitive liquid crystals to display temperature changes through color.

Noun

1. a liquid exhibiting properties of a crystal that are not shown by ordinary liquids