DataVXAdvanced Functional MaterialsPaper
journal article·2025-07Open access

Microplate Active Migration Emerging From Light‐Induced Phase Transitions in a Nematic Liquid Crystal (Adv. Funct. Mater. 30/2025)

Antonio Tavera‐Vázquez, Danai Montalvan‐Sorrosa, Gustavo R. Perez‐Lemus, Otilio E. Rodriguez‐Lopez, Jose A. Martinez‐Gonzalez, Vinothan N. Manoharan, Juan J. de Pablo

Advanced Functional Materials· Volume 35· Issue 30
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Source abstract

Abstract

Multipolar-Active Liquid Crystal Structures In article number 2504046, Juan J. de Pablo and co-workers present a system consisting of quasi-2D, light-absorbing platelets embedded in a thermotropic liquid crystal, activated with light. The platelets induce a localized nematic-isotropic phase transition that breaks the symmetry to self-propel. In 3D confinement, the platelets tilt and glide, showing multipolar optical textures such as flower-like petals, due to the highly structured out-of-equilibrium medium. This has potential applications for photonic-active technologies.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Micro and Nano Robotics · Advanced Materials and Mechanics

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Affiliations

Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering The University of Chicago Chicago IL 60637 USA

Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Harvard University Cambridge MA 02138 USA

Facultad de Ciencias Departamento de Biología Celular Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior Ciudad Universitaria Alcaldía Coyoacán Ciudad de México 04510 México

Facultad de Ciencias Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí Av. Parque Chapultepec 1570 San Luis Potosí SLP 78210 México

Instituto de Física Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí Av. Parque Chapultepec 1570 San Luis Potosí SLP 78295 México

Department of Physics Harvard University Cambridge MA 02138 USA

Materials Science Division Argonne National Laboratory Lemont IL 60439 USA

Tandon School of Engineering New York University Brooklyn NY 11201 USA

References

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