Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41120357›Full record

ArticleNature communications2025

Directed self-assembly of chiral liquid crystals into biomimetic bouligand structures in thin film.

Tejal Pawale, Justin Swain, Mesonma Anwasi, Sachin Kaluarachchi, Yuheng Wang, Yong Yang, David A Czaplewski, Ralu Divan, Giordano Tierra, Xiao Li

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Nature communications, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Tejal PawaleMaterials Science and Engineering Department, University of North Texas, 3940 North Elm Str, Denton, TX, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5343-0889
Justin SwainDepartment of Mathematics, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle, Denton, TX, USA.
Mesonma AnwasiMaterials Science and Engineering Department, University of North Texas, 3940 North Elm Str, Denton, TX, USA.
Sachin KaluarachchiDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, 3940 North Elm Str, Denton, TX, USA.
Yuheng WangMaterials Science and Engineering Department, University of North Texas, 3940 North Elm Str, Denton, TX, USA.
Yong YangDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Texas, 3940 North Elm Str, Denton, TX, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4305-8029
David A CzaplewskiCenter for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, 60439, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2262-0908
Ralu DivanCenter for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, 60439, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6343-942X
Giordano TierraDepartment of Mathematics, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle, Denton, TX, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3954-1288
Xiao LiMaterials Science and Engineering Department, University of North Texas, 3940 North Elm Str, Denton, TX, USA. Xiao.Li@unt.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3456-1933

Funding

National Science Foundation (NSF) DMR-2337740
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The Bouligand structure, renowned for its helicoidal arrangement and enhanced mechanical properties, has attracted significant research interest for its ability to impart enhanced strength to intrinsically soft materials. Biomimetic approaches have centered on fibrous structures in bulk materials, but translating this architecture into thin-film regime for miniaturized-wearable devices with programmable functions remains challenging. Here, we direct the self-assembly of cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) into hierarchical helical structures using chemically patterned surfaces. Alternating surface anchoring regions align uniform lying-down helices at the nanoscale, guiding a secondary microscale helical structure exhibiting both left- and right-handed twists. This mimetic Bouligand structure in CLCs enables optical modulation under applied field and strain with enhanced mechanical response. Simulations reveal the structural evolution from initial Bouligand configuration in LC layers to alternating twist helices. This research provides a basis for designing and manufacturing miniaturized or wearable devices with nanometer-scale precision in regulating electro-optical and mechanical properties.

Identifiers

PMID41120357
PMCPMC12540833

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.