The term #x201C;liquid crystal#x201D; signifies a state of aggregation that is intermediate between the crystalline solid and the isotropic liquid. A substance in this state is strongly anisotropic in some of its properties and yet exhibits a certain degree of fluidity, which in some cases may be comparable to that of an ordinary liquid. A large number of organic compounds are now known to form liquid crystals. An essential requirement for mesomorphism to occur is that the molecules must be highly geometrically anisotropic. The transition to the intermediate state may be brought about by purely thermal processes (thermotropic mesomorphism) o r by the action of solvents (lyotropic mesomorphism).
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