liquid crystal

noun

: an organic liquid whose physical properties resemble those of a crystal in the formation of loosely ordered molecular arrays similar to a regular crystalline lattice and the anisotropic refraction of light

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Samsung ended production of liquid crystal display (LCD) TVs in 2020, and has been investing heavily in organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panels enhanced with quantum dot (QD) technology. —

IEEE Spectrum, 7 Jan. 2021 According to the researchers, the grasshopper-like material is composed of three elastomer layers and liquid crystals. —

Rupendra Brahambhatt, Ars Technica, 11 Mar. 2023 The researchers say the new metasurfaces can replace the liquid crystal layer in LCD displays. —

IEEE Spectrum, 10 Mar. 2023 The device is built from a strip of light-responsive polymer that arcs and straightens akin to an inchworm, while liquid crystal elastomers and synthetic magnet patches mimic on either end geckos’ gravity-defying grip. —

Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 27 Feb. 2023 The company currently uses LCDs — liquid crystal displays — on its Macs, but iPhones and Apple Watches already rely on OLED. —

Fortune, 12 Jan. 2023 The screen is made up of multiple layers, with the OLED panel topped by an optical resin, a glass panel, the lenticular lens layer, a 2D/3D liquid crystal switching layer, and finally a glass overlay with antireflective coating. —

PCMAG, 4 Jan. 2023 Mechanical engineers from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore have found a new way to build body armor with a lightweight elastomer material that relies on a complex liquid crystal structure. —

Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 5 Apr. 2022 According to the research carried out by Bellini and an international group of collaborators, liquid crystal states could have helped short pieces of RNA to form up, then develop into longer and longer strands. —

Chelsea Gohd, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2018 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'liquid crystal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of liquid crystal was in 1891

See more words from the same year

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Liquid crystal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liquid%20crystal. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.

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