Nematic phases are the least ordered of the liquid crystals. The molecules lack positional order (they don't have specific locations within a crystalline lattice), but they are aligned more or less parallel. These materials are highly technologically relevant, as they constitute the basis for traditional liquid crystal displays (LCDs). |
Because they're relatively disorganized, nematic liquid crystals flow quite easily-- this isn't the case for many of the more ordered liquid crystals. Their fluid nature is quite apparent when viewed by polarized microscopy, where actual droplets of material can be seen (see below).