We
report
a
novel
synthetic
procedure
for
making
analogues
of
the
widely
studied
ferroelectric
nematogen
RM734.
Our
new
focuses
on
building
materials
starting
from
nitro-terminus
and
eschewing
protecting
groups,
in
contrast
to
previously
reported
syntheses.
This
approach
confers
two
principal
advantages:
firstly,
synthesis
variants
described
herein
is
expedient,
being
single
step
as
opposed
three
or
more
via
classical
route.
Secondly,
by
forgoing
use
benzyl
groups
utilised
original
we
can
include
functionality
that
incompatible
with
hydrogenolysis
conditions
(e.g.
olefins,
late
halogens,
unsaturated
heterocycles).
Several
RM734-like
exhibit
nematic
phases,
rationalise
behaviour
these
aid
electronic
structure
calculations
potential
energy
surface
scans.
Abstract
The
discovery
of
a
new
polar
nematic
phase;
the
ferroelectric
nematic,
has
generated
great
deal
excitement
in
field
liquid
crystals.
To
date
there
have
been
around
150
materials
reported
exhibiting
phase,
general,
following
three
key
archetypal
structures
with
these
compounds
known
as
RM734,
DIO
and
UUQU‐4N.
In
this
review,
relationship
between
molecular
structure
stability
N
F
,
phase
will
be
described
from
chemist's
perspective.
This
look
to
highlight
wide
variety
functionalities
which
incorporated
into
how
changes
influence
transition
temperatures
mesophases
present.
appears
stabilised
particularly
by
reducing
length
terminal
alkyl
chains
present
adding
fluorines
laterally
along
backbone.
review
introduce
background
before
then
showing
range
exhibit
describing
their
structure–property
relationships
therefore
giving
an
up–to–date
account
literature
for
fascinating
mesophase.
Rigid
robots
can
be
precise
but
struggle
in
environments
where
compliance,
robustness
to
disturbances,
or
energy
efficiency
is
crucial.
This
has
led
researchers
develop
biomimetic
incorporating
soft
artificial
muscles.
Electrohydraulic
actuators
are
promising
muscles
that
perform
comparably
mammalian
speed
and
power
density.
However,
their
operation
requires
several
thousand
volts.
The
high
voltage
leads
bulky
inefficient
driving
electronics.
Here,
we
present
hydraulically
amplified
low-voltage
electrostatic
(HALVE)
match
skeletal
average
density
(50.5
watts
per
kilogram)
peak
strain
rate
(971%
second)
at
a
4.9
times
lower
(1100
volts)
compared
the
state
of
art.
HALVE
safe
touch,
waterproof,
exhibit
self-clearing
properties.
We
characterize,
model,
validate
key
performance
metrics
our
actuator.
Last,
demonstrate
utility
on
robotic
gripper
swimmer.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
121(13)
Опубликована: Март 21, 2024
We
demonstrate
an
exceptional
ability
of
a
high-polarization
3D
ferroelectric
liquid
to
form
freely
suspended
fluid
fibers
at
room
temperature.
Unlike
threads
in
modulated
smectics
and
columnar
phases,
where
translational
order
is
prerequisite
for
forming
fibers,
recently
discovered
nematic
forms
with
solely
orientational
molecular
order.
Additional
stabilization
mechanisms
based
on
the
polar
nature
mesophase
are
required
this.
propose
model
such
mechanism
show
that
these
nonlinear
optical
response
exhibit
electric
field-driven
instabilities.
Nature Communications,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
15(1)
Опубликована: Июль 11, 2024
Abstract
Spontaneous
symmetry
breaking
and
emergent
polar
order
are
each
of
fundamental
importance
to
a
range
scientific
disciplines,
as
well
generating
rich
phase
behaviour
in
liquid
crystals
(LCs).
Here,
we
show
the
union
these
phenomena
lead
two
previously
undiscovered
states
matter.
Both
phases
have
lamellar
structure
with
an
inherent
ordering
their
constituent
molecules.
The
first
is
characterised
by
local
tilted
structure;
tilt
direction
processes
about
helix
orthogonal
layer
normal,
period
which
such
that
observe
selective
reflection
light.
second
new
type
anti-ferroelectric,
molecules
aligning
orthogonally
normal.
This
has
led
us
term
$${{{{{\rm{Sm}}}}}}{{{{{{\rm{C}}}}}}}_{{{{{{\rm{P}}}}}}}^{{{{{{\rm{H}}}}}}}$$
SmCPH
SmA
AF
phases,
respectively.
Further
this,
obtain
room
temperature
ferroelectric
nematic
(N
F
)
via
binary
mixture
formulation
novel
materials
described
here
standard
N
compound
(DIO),
resultant
having
melting
points
(and/or
glass
transitions)
significantly
below
ambient
temperature.
soft
matter
types
discovered
herein
can
be
considered
electrical
analogues
topological
structures
magnetic
spins
hard
Giant,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
19, С. 100318 - 100318
Опубликована: Июль 4, 2024
The
recent
discovery
of
liquid-matter
ferroelectrics
not
only
opens
a
door
to
explore
novel
polar
matter
states
and
properties
in
the
term
condensed
physics
but
also
provides
unprecedented
opportunities
for
developing
new
liquid
crystal
materials
technologies.
progression
from
ferroelectric
nematic
phase
many
other
represents
remarkable
journey
emerging
soft
matter.
In
this
perspective,
we
briefly
introduce
latest
quick
rise
advancements
that
display
smectic
characteristics.
We
summarize
recently-discovered
phases,
their
physics,
potential
technological
innovations,
then
give
some
hints
consider
critical
further
exploration.
More
importantly,
seek
delve
into
broader
discussions
on
chemical
structure
design,
underlying
physical
interactions
driving
various
states,
connections
range
intriguing
phenomena.
Advanced Science,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
unknown
Опубликована: Янв. 13, 2025
High
birefringence
nematic
liquid
crystals
are
particularly
demanded
for
adaptive
optics
applications
in
the
infrared
spectrum
because
it
enable
a
thinner
cell
gap
achieving
fast
response
time
and
improved
diffraction
efficiency.
The
emerging
ferroelectric
have
attracted
widespread
interest
soft
matter
due
to
their
unique
combination
of
ferroelectricity
fluidity.
However,
birefringence,
which
is
one
most
important
optical
parameters
electro-optic
devices,
not
large
enough
(<0.25)
materials.
Here,
polar
crystal
molecule
library
containing
more
than
60
molecules
with
highly
rigid
fluorinated
nature
developed.
introduction
triple
bonds
constructs
long
π-electron
conjugated
mesogen
skeleton,
significantly
improving
phases.
dispersion
properties
systematically
studied,
demonstrating
strong
dependence
on
chemical
structures
type
Furthermore,
through
multi-component
mixing,
mixtures
ultra-wide
temperature
range
excellent
stability
at
or
near
room
obtained.
They
possess
much
higher
existing
high
fluidic
expected
promote
application
technologies.
Liquid Crystals,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
51(4), С. 558 - 568
Опубликована: Янв. 25, 2024
The
fluid
ferroelectrics,
called
ferroelectric
nematics
(NF),
have
recently
become
available
by
incorporating
strong
polarity
into
rod-shaped
liquid
crystal
molecules.
Its
unprecedented
electro-optic
properties
created
significant
excitement
in
soft
matter
research.
further
progression
from
the
NF
phase
to
antiferroelectric
smectic
Z
(SmZA)
phase,
and
ultimately
Smectic
A
(SmAF)
represents
a
remarkable
journey
emerging
polar
states.
Nevertheless,
limitation
of
materials
remains
one
prominent
obstacles
physical
property
optimization
optoelectronic
device
development.
In
this
work,
we
synthesized
series
fluorinated
molecules
with
large
dipole
moments
systematically
investigated
their
behavior.
We
designed
them
similar
aromatic
skeleton
varied
structures
terminal
group
bridging
bond.
found
that
moment
density
shape
anisotropy
significantly
affect
Notably,
diverse
phases,
including
NF,
SmZA,
SmAF
were
observed.
Through
multi-component
mixing
strategy,
successfully
achieved
much-expanded
temperature
window
improved
low-temperature
stability
not
only
but
also
SmZA
phases.
Journal of Materials Chemistry C,
Год журнала:
2023,
Номер
11(48), С. 16982 - 16991
Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2023
We
report
a
simplified
method
for
preparing
RM734,
enabling
the
discovery
of
new
NF
materials
previously
difficult
to
synthesize
using
traditional
approaches.
Advanced Electronic Materials,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
10(9)
Опубликована: Май 9, 2024
Abstract
Polymer‐dispersed
liquid
crystals
(PDLCs)
with
nano‐phase‐separated
structures,
in
which
nanometer‐sized
crystal
(LC)
domains
are
dispersed
within
a
polymer
matrix
(nano‐PDLCs),
transparent
solid
materials
whose
optical
properties
can
be
modulated
by
applying
an
electric
field
(
E
‐field).
Because
the
proportion
of
LC
that
respond
to
is
small,
specific
surface
area
phase‐separated
interface
nano‐PDLCs
larger
than
conventional
PDLCs,
resulting
higher
drive
voltages
those
PDLCs.
To
lower
driving
voltage
nano‐PDLCs,
highly
polar
LCs
(C
3
DIO)
used
large
dielectric
anisotropy
(>10000),
and
prepared
using
DIO
mixtures
obtained
mixing
them
related
compounds
as
host
LC.
Nano‐PDLCs
employing
exhibit
‐field
responsivity
In
addition,
electro‐optical
Kerr
coefficient
at
visible
wavelength
significantly
high,
reaching
10
−8
m
V
−2
.
Furthermore,
mixture
memory
effect
induced
birefringence
remains
even
after
removal
in‐plane
‐field.
Memorized
erased
heating
or
perpendicular
substrate
surface.
rewritable
electro‐birefringence‐responsive
memorize
arbitrary
values.