CHOLESTERIC Meaning and
Definition
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Cholesteric is an adjective that refers to a specific characteristic or property of certain substances, especially liquid crystals. It describes a molecular arrangement in which the constituent particles or molecules are organized in a layered or stacked structure, similar to the helical structure of the cholesterol molecule, hence the name "cholesteric."
In a cholesteric liquid crystal, the molecular alignment forms a continuous spiral or helical pattern throughout the material. This arrangement creates a unique optical property called selective reflection, which means that the liquid crystal reflects light of a specific wavelength or range of wavelengths, resulting in vibrant and iridescent colors.
The phenomenon of selective reflection in cholesteric liquid crystals is due to the liquid crystal's ability to diffract and scatter light in a particular manner. The pitch or distance between the molecular layers determines the wavelength of light that it reflects. The color observed appears when the wavelength of reflected light matches the visible spectrum, while the other wavelengths are absorbed or pass through without reflection.
Cholesteric materials find application in various scientific and technological fields, including displays, optical devices, sensors, and security features. The vivid colors exhibited by cholesteric liquid crystals make them ideal for applications such as electronic paper displays (e-paper), where low-power and high-contrast images are desirable. Additionally, cholesteric materials are used in decorative and aesthetic applications, such as paints, coatings, and textiles, to achieve unique color effects and light manipulation.
Common Misspellings for CHOLESTERIC
- xholesteric
- vholesteric
- fholesteric
- dholesteric
- cgolesteric
- cbolesteric
- cnolesteric
- cjolesteric
- cuolesteric
- cyolesteric
- chilesteric
- chklesteric
- chllesteric
- chplesteric
- ch0lesteric
- ch9lesteric
- chokesteric
- chopesteric
- chooesteric
Etymology of CHOLESTERIC
The word "cholesteric" originates from the Greek word "cholesterol", which means "bile solid". The term was coined by French chemist Eugène Chevreul in the early 19th century when he discovered the substance that we now know as cholesterol, which was initially found in gallstones. Later, the term "cholesteric" was used to describe a specific type of liquid crystal that exhibits a twisted structure, resembling the arrangement of cholesterol molecules. Hence, the word "cholesteric" refers to the resemblance between the twisted structure of liquid crystals and cholesterol molecules.
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