Lyotropic liquid crystals

Lyotropic liquid crystals are a type of material that forms ordered, flowing structures when certain substances dissolve in a solvent, typically water. Their formation depends on the concentration of the dissolved molecules; as more are added, they organize into unique, flexible patterns that resemble both liquids and solids. These structures are found in everyday products like salad dressings, detergents, and some biological systems such as cell membranes. The molecules often have a main body and tails, which align in specific ways to create these organized phases, providing useful properties like clarity, viscosity control, and stability.