Abstract
We propose a micromanipulator system that traps microparticles using the interfacial force between liquid crystals and isotropic phases. The maximum interfacial force of a nematic liquid crystal (5CB) was previously shown to be insufficiently strong for use in micromanipulator systems. Because a smectic liquid crystal (12CB) has a higher order of molecular alignment, the smectic-isotropic interfacial force is stronger than the nematic-isotropic interfacial force. We demonstrated in the present study that the smectic-isotropic interface was strong enough to capture tungsten carbide particles. The interfacial force of 12CB was approximately 76.1nN, which was more than 13 times stronger than the nematic-isotropic interfacial force of 5CB and 8CB. Thus, the smectic-isotropic interface of 12CB could be exploited for the development of new manipulation or actuation systems. • The interfacial forces between liquid crystal phase interfaces were evaluated. • The smectic-isotopic interfacial force was much stronger than that of other interfaces. • Micromanipulators can be developed using the smectic-isotropic interface.
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