Two dimensional Confinement of 5CB between Lipid Bi-layers
POSTER
Abstract
We have confined 5CB (4-Cyano-4'-Pentyl-1, 1'-biphenyl), a calamitic thermotropic liquid crystal, between lamellar bilayers formed by the lyotropic lipid DDAB (diodecyldimethylammoniumbromide). DDAB bilayers were swollen by the addition of an anisotropic liquid, 5CB. Initial phase transition and optical birefringence data have suggested demixed phase(s) 25\% $=$5CB $= $85\% in 88\% (DDAB + 25\% water). Isotropic to Lamellar transition was observed in all the samples of less than 27\% 5CB.
*Work supported by the SRU Provost and Faculty Professional Development Grant. RM also would like to thank Professors N. Clark of CU and Tommaso Bellini of Milan University for suggesting this problem.