Liquid Crystalline Blue Phases - Liquid Crystalline Functional Assemblies and Their Supramolecular Structures - page 116

11
Conclusions
The blue phase models shown in Fig. 5 appear in textbooks on liquid crys-
tals. Yet how many people can capture a complete image of the structures
immediately? How can such complex structures form by themselves? Do peo-
ple truly understand what blue phases really are? This structural mystery
remains, even for those with a good understanding of these phases. The re-
searchers who identified these structures must have been amazed at their
findings, which were well beyond their own expectations. At the same time,
it is very interesting that some incredible structures exist in biologic materi-
als and living organisms. Collagen is made of huge molecules that form triple
helices, and in its aggregates, a blue-phase structure exists [47]. Some also
saythatrats'teethhaveastructuresimilartothoseofbluephases[48].Why
have some living organisms chosen such structures? Future findings on these
issues will undoubtedly be of keen interest.
It is considered that liquid crystals that are soft and have long-distance
order may form certain complex hierarchical structures other than blue
phases. In fact, recent discoveries of new liquid crystal phases have arisen one
after another. While many think of liquid crystals as display materials with
the range of applications seemingly exhausted, it is more likely that applica-
tions other than displays are only beginning to appear.
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