The effect of low-frequency microvibrations on nanoparticle networks embedded in liquid crystals

We describe an opportunity of orienting liquid crystals in nanoparticle networks (LCNNs) which considerably enhances the transmission of the material and makes feasible switching between the transparent and opaque states of the material in an all-mechanical process that can be performed without invoking electrical fields. The technique employs a process in which one of the substrates of the LCNN cell is fixed while the other substrate is brought into low-frequency shearing microvibrations. The optical transmission of the material proves to be highly sensitive to the vibration frequency, as well as to its amplitude.