Novel memory effect found in nematic liquid crystal/fine particle system

Novel liquid crystalline composites composed of a nematic two-frequency-addressing liquid crystal and organized clay mineral (about 1 wt %) have been prepared. The particles of clay mineral were dispersed homogeneously in the liquid crystal. The composite cells became transparent within 50ms when a 60 Hz electric field was applied. The transparent state was maintained after the field was switched off. It transformed into a turbid light scattering state by applying 1.5 kHz electric field which caused dynamic scattering in the cell. The light transmittance of both memory states did not change after 20 h without the electric field.