Ferroelectric Nematic Suspension

We report on the development of a dilute suspension of ferroelectric particles in a nematic liquid-crystal(LC) host. We found that the submicron particles do not disturb the LC alignment and the suspension macroscopically appears similar to a pure LC with no readily apparent evidence of dissolved particles. The suspension possesses enhanced dielectricanisotropy, and is sensitive to the sign of an applied electric field.</p