nematic

[ ni-mat-ik ]

adjective

, Physical Chemistry.

1. noting a mesomorphic state in which the arrangement of the molecules is linear.

nematic

/ nɪˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. chem (of a substance) existing in or having a mesomorphic state in which a linear orientation of the molecules causes anisotropic properties Compare smectic See also liquid crystal

Word History and Origins

Origin of nematic¹

First recorded in 1920–25; nemat- + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of nematic¹

C20: nemat ( o ) - (referring to the threadlike chains of molecules in liquid) + -ic

Example Sentences

"We found that biofilms take advantage of growth-induced stresses to shape their environment and create a nematic structure," said Jing Yan, assistant professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology at Yale University and co-corresponding author on the paper.

From Science Daily

In the latter, the molecular ordering associated with different crystal phases — such as cholesteric, nematic and smectic phases — and, in particular, the anchoring of liquid crystals to surfaces can lead to diverse behaviour of Casimir-like forces9.

From Nature

The authors’ groundbreaking experiment was based on the idea12 of replacing one of the two solid crystals with a nematic liquid crystal.

From Nature

The Casimir torque, although weak, forced the average orientation of molecules in the nematic liquid crystal along a direction that11 characterizes the solid crystal, known as its optical axis.

From Nature

Much progress has been made in the optimization of nematic liquid crystals for displays and photonic applications, and so it would be worth exploring whether a liquid crystal is available that has more-optimal properties than has the crystal used by the authors.

From Nature