GEL DISPERSED LIQUID-CRYSTALS

Microemulsion based gels (MBG) can be used as carrier materials for di spersed thermotropic liquid crystals (LC). The viscosity of the carrie r material can be specifically changed by varying the gelatin content. The LC droplet sizes and their distribution in the MBG system are inf luenced by both the ratio between AOT surfactant and alcohol co-surfac tant and the length of the carbon chain of the co-surfactant. LC dropl ets without or with only a small amount of alcohol co-surfactant have the same droplet size and show a radial structure.