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Using Liquid Crystals to Guide Movements of Microorganisms

photo of Dr. Oleg Lavrentovich
KSU
Dr. Oleg Lavrentovich

Dr. Oleg Lavrentovich, Trustees Research Professor at Kent State University, and editor of the journal Liquid Crystal Reviews, recently published a paper along with student scholars entitled, "Directional Self-Locomotion of Active Droplets Enabled by Nematic Environment." He spoke with host Dr. Amy Reynolds and explained that he's using liquid crystals to influence the path of tiny microorganisms that are capable of moving on their own. If their movements can be directed, they can be made them work for us.