OREANDA-NEWS Previously unknown properties of nano- and micro-sized liquid crystals were discovered by BFU scientists. According to them, the data obtained will allow the development of a new family of ultra-miniature electro-optical sensors and a number of powerful medical analyzers for both laboratory and home use. The results are published in the Journal of Molecular Liquids.

Liquid crystals (LC) are a special state of a substance in which it simultaneously possesses both fluidity and crystal–like structural properties. LCDs are extremely sensitive to any external influences, they are strongly influenced by even very weak electric and magnetic fields and small temperature changes.

One of the important areas of research of LCD structures is the study of the processes of transportation and sorting of nanoliter droplets of LCD in branched channels under the influence of an external electric field, experts said.

New results in this area are in demand when creating sensitive sensors and sensors. Compared with other microsensors, they will have a simple design, miniaturization and high adaptability, low control voltage, the scientists explained.

Researchers of the Baltic Federal University named after I. Kant (BFU) conducted a comprehensive simulation of flow processes in micro- and nanoscale LCD systems. The data obtained, according to scientists, make it possible to correctly predict a wide range of processes during the technological processing of LCD and select their optimal compositions when designing various systems.

"Optical and other experimental methods for studying LCD structures are virtually unrealizable today, so we focused on comprehensive numerical modeling. We have discovered and confirmed a number of previously unknown effects concerning the influence of channel walls and other factors on the fluidity and associated electro–optical properties of the LCD," said Pavel Maslennikov, associate professor of the ONC "MEDBIO" of the BFU.

The ability to instantly switch the electro-optical characteristics of the same LCD system makes these materials ideal elements for the development of new biomedical devices, the scientists explained. According to them, these can be mobile home devices for rapid analysis of cells, tissues and biofluids, as well as powerful laboratory tools.

"Optical sensors on LCD materials can completely eliminate the need for chemical markers and labels injected into the body, since LCD molecules amplify the optical signals of biological structures. In the future, thanks to them, it will be possible to create multifunctional "laboratories on a chip"," Maslennikov said.