Applications of Biomaterials to Liquid Crystals

Molecules

Kazuki Iwabata²  Urara Sugai²  Yasutaka Seki²  Hirokazu Furue¹ 

[1] Department of Industrial Chemistry, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan; E-Mail:;Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan; E-Mails:

关键词: liquid crystal;    biomaterial;    DNA;    peptide;   

DOI  :  10.3390/molecules18044703

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Nowadays, chemically synthesized proteins and peptides are attractive building blocks and have potential in many important applications as biomaterials. In this review, applications of biomaterials to thermotropic liquid crystals are discussed. The review covers the improvement of the performance of liquid crystal displays using liquid crystal physical gels consisting of a liquid crystal and amino acid-based gelators, and also new functionalization of liquid crystals. Moreover, the influence of DNA, which is one of the more attractive biomaterials, dispersed in thermotropic liquid crystals and its potential use in the liquid crystal industry is described. In addition, we found interesting results during electrooptical measurements of liquid crystals doped with DNA, and explain them from the point of view of biological applications. These recent approaches suggest that these biomaterials may be applicable in the electronic device industry and should be considered as an interesting material with their physical properties having the potential to create or refine an industrial product.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.