Liquid Crystals and Their Applications

Overview & Synopsis

The Topical Collection “Liquid Crystals and Their Applications” in Crystals (MDPI) gathers cutting-edge contributions that reveal the remarkable versatility and impact of liquid crystal materials across technology and science. This collection features experimental and theoretical papers that demonstrate how manipulating the orientational order of nematic, chiral, and elastomeric phases enables novel influences on thermal, optical, and mechanical phenomena. Highlights include light-induced heating and Bragg resonance in nematic and helicoidal cholesteric structures, usage of nematic liquid crystals to boost dye-sensing solar cell performance, and the design of broadband near-infrared reflective coatings with stacked chiral liquid crystals. The integration of liquid crystals in filtration membranes, adjustable optical elements, and responsive elastomers illustrates their critical role in sustainable energy, smart windows, and advanced photonic devices. The review of angular-selective windows with guest–host liquid crystals underscores their promise for the next-generation static window technologies. Collectively, this collection offers a panoramic view of how liquid crystals shape modern materials innovation and device engineering for researchers, technologists, and industry stakeholders.