Nanotechnology Now |
Home > Press > Dartmouth researchers develop molecular switch that changes liquid crystal colors: Nanotechnology tool may help in in detecting harmful gases, pathogens, explosives
Abstract:
Dartmouth researchers have developed a molecular switch that changes a liquid crystal's readout color based on a chemical input. This new development may open the way for using liquid crystals in detecting harmful gases, pathogens, explosives and other chemical substances.
Dartmouth researchers develop molecular switch that changes liquid crystal colors: Nanotechnology tool may help in in detecting harmful gases, pathogens, explosives
Hanover, NH | Posted on August 26th, 2013One of the challenges in the field of molecular switches and machines is the translation of molecular level motion into macroscopic level events by harnessing light or chemical energy -- think of a molecular-sized light switch that can be turned on and off. With an actual light switch, this can be easily done by hard wiring the switch to a light source, but doing this at the nanoscale is challenging.
In their study, the Dartmouth researchers used liquid crystals such as the ones in LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors and TV screens to address this challenge. They synthesized a pH activated molecular switch that can control the long range assembly of a commercially available liquid crystal called NP5. This manipulation changed the readout color of NP5 from purple to green depending on the applied pH, confirming the molecular level motion is responsible for the change in the photophysical properties of the liquid crystal.
The findings open the way for researchers to design molecular switches that produce different liquid crystal readout colors when harmful chemical substances are detected. If these liquid crystals are used as pixels - similar to the ones in LCD screens - researchers may be able to bunch them together and develop groups of sensors that can quickly analyze and detect hazardous materials.
Ivan Aprahamian, a co-author and professor of chemistry, is available to comment at . More information about his research is available at Dartmouth Now.
####
For more information, please click here
Contacts:
John Cramer
603-646-9130
Copyright © Dartmouth College
If you have a comment, please Contact us.Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Bookmark:
| Related Links |
The findings appear in the journal Angewandte Chemie. A PDF of the study is available on request:
| Related News Press |
News and information
Toxicity of Commonly-Used Nanoparticles on Human Body Studied in Iran March 9th, 2014
Aptasensors Help Detection of Cancer Protein Marker March 9th, 2014
Nano Labs Shareholder Update March 8th, 2014
Display technology/LEDs/SS Lighting/OLEDs
QD Vision Continues to Achieve Commercial Firsts with Quantum Dots: Company announces first production-ready green quantum dots at 30 nm FWHM March 5th, 2014
Cima NanoTech Announces Commercial Production of its SANTE(R) FS200 Touch Films for Large Format Touch Screens February 19th, 2014
Discoveries
Toxicity of Commonly-Used Nanoparticles on Human Body Studied in Iran March 9th, 2014
Aptasensors Help Detection of Cancer Protein Marker March 9th, 2014
Squeezing light into metals: University of Utah engineers control conductivity with inkjet printer March 7th, 2014
MANA Research Highlight: Smart nanofibers to treat kidney failure March 6th, 2014
Announcements
Toxicity of Commonly-Used Nanoparticles on Human Body Studied in Iran March 9th, 2014
Aptasensors Help Detection of Cancer Protein Marker March 9th, 2014
Nano Labs Shareholder Update March 8th, 2014
Interviews/Book Reviews/Essays/Reports/Podcasts/Journals
Toxicity of Commonly-Used Nanoparticles on Human Body Studied in Iran March 9th, 2014
Aptasensors Help Detection of Cancer Protein Marker March 9th, 2014
Squeezing light into metals: University of Utah engineers control conductivity with inkjet printer March 7th, 2014
Homeland Security
Colored diamonds are a superconductor’s best friend March 6th, 2014
Notre Dame study explores the potential benefits and threats of nanotechnology research January 25th, 2013
Military
Google Glass could help stop emerging public health threats around the world February 27th, 2014
Caps not the culprit in nanotube chirality: Rice University study narrows the possibilities for gaining control of nanotube type February 17th, 2014
Rice's carbon nanotube fibers outperform copper: Tests show bundles beat traditional cables for transmitting electricity February 14th, 2014
Clever NIST/JPL technology decodes more information from single photons February 12th, 2014
 |
||
 |
||
| The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
 |
||
|
|
||
| Premium Products | ||
 |
||
|
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
 |
||
|
University Technology Transfer & Patents
Learn More |
||
 |
||
|
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||
|
|
||
| © Copyright 1999-2014 7th Wave, Inc. All Rights Reserved | PRIVACY POLICY :: CONTACT US :: STATS :: SITE MAP :: ADVERTISE |