Microvibration‐enhanced transparency of electrically aligned liquid crystals in nanoparticle networks

Abstract

We study the process of orienting nanoparticle dispersed liquid crystals (NPD‐LCs) with the aid of low‐frequency (1–100 Hz) shearing microvibrations (1–10 µm amplitude). Due to the random orientation of LCs in such networks, NPD‐LCs are highly light scattering unless subject to the orienting influence of a high‐voltage electric field (∼100 V). We show that microvibrations are able considerably to enhance the stable NPD‐LC transmission state obtained due to the application of an electric field. Shearing microvibrations make it feasible to switch between the transparent and opaque states of the material in an all‐mechanical process. The optical transmission of the material proves to be very sensitive to the vibration amplitude as well as frequency. As a result, the system can be used for sensing and measuring low‐frequency and small‐amplitude mechanical oscillations.

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the Small Business Innovative Research Program of the US Army Research Office.