In a breakthrough that could lead to new applications in flexible displays, wearable electronics, and soft robotics, materials scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have developed a way to make liquid crystals change shape on command.

Liquid crystals are materials that have properties of both liquids and crystals. They are made up of long, rod-shaped molecules that are aligned in a specific way. When these molecules are aligned, liquid crystals can transmit light in a specific direction, which is why they are used in liquid crystal displays (LCDs).

The researchers found that they could change the shape of liquid crystals by applying an electric field. When an electric field is applied, the molecules in the liquid crystal reorient themselves, which changes the way that light is transmitted. This means that the liquid crystal can be made to change color or even to become transparent.

The researchers say that their new method could be used to create flexible displays that can be folded or rolled up, wearable electronics that can conform to the body, and soft robots that can change shape to navigate through different environments.

"This is a major breakthrough in the field of liquid crystal research," said study lead author Dr. Quan Li. "We have discovered a new way to control the shape of liquid crystals, which opens up a wide range of new possibilities for their use in technology."

The researchers published their findings in the journal Nature Materials.