nematic
Parallel but unordered
Nematic describes a phase of liquid crystals in which rod-shaped molecules align parallel to each other but aren't arranged in layers—they flow like a liquid while maintaining directional order.
This property makes nematic crystals useful in LCD screens, where electric fields can reorient the molecules to control light: nematic liquid crystal displays.
One who leads
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
- orderMethodical arrangement or request
- anisotropyDirection-dependent property variation
- isotropicSame properties all directions
topological · defects · texture · elastomer · self-assembly · display
Separation into opposing extremes
- textureSurface tactile quality
- opticalOf vision or light
- microscopyTechnique using powerful lenses
- domainArea of control
homogeneous · planar · brushes · extinction · interference
director
One who leads
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
- orderMethodical arrangement or request
- anisotropyDirection-dependent property variation
isotropic · topological · defects · texture · elastomer · self-assembly · display
polarization
Separation into opposing extremes
- textureSurface tactile quality
- opticalOf vision or light
- microscopyTechnique using powerful lenses
domain · homogeneous · planar · brushes · extinction · interference
nematicisotropic
Same properties all directions
disordered · unaligned · crystalline · random · amorphous