| LCD screens are uniquely modern in style, and | | | | like thermometers, where temperature |
| the liquid crystals that make them work have | | | | responsiveness is a boon; but this same |
| allowed humanity to create slimmer, more | | | | property can unfortunately make LCD screens |
| portable technology than we've ever had | | | | unreliable in extreme climates. |
| access to before. From your wrist watch to | | | | |
| your laptop, a lot of the on the go | | | | In an LCD screen, electric currents work at a |
| electronics that we tote from place to place | | | | microscopic level to control the amount of |
| are only possible because of their thin, | | | | light that passes through the liquid crystal |
| light LCD display screens. Liquid crystal | | | | molecules that make up the moving layer of |
| display (LCD) technology still has some | | | | the screen, which is sandwiched between clear |
| stumbling blocks in its path that can make it | | | | glass panels. The currents can force the |
| unreliable at times, but on the whole the | | | | naturally twisted molecules to unwind or coil |
| invention of the LCD screen has allowed great | | | | tighter, thereby changing the amount of light |
| leaps forward in global technological | | | | that can pass from the bulb behind the glass |
| progress. | | | | to the eye of the viewer. It may help you |
| | | | understand this process by imagining that |
| Although liquid crystals are not really | | | | light filters through an LCD screen the same |
| liquid, their molecules behave more like a | | | | way that sunlight filters through the leaves |
| liquid than they do like a solid, which earns | | | | of a tree. Now, imagine that the tree is |
| them their name. The crystals in an LCD exist | | | | being blown in the wind, and you will see |
| in a kind of a unique middle ground between | | | | that the amount and placement of the light |
| solid form and liquid form, which gives them | | | | that comes through the leaves changes. This |
| the movement and flexibility of a liquid; but | | | | is very similar to the dynamic that powers an |
| can also let them remain in place, like a | | | | LCD screen, except that the sun is a small |
| solid. Heat can quickly melt a solid to | | | | light bulb, the leaves are molecules of |
| liquid, allowing it to move, whereas cool | | | | liquid crystal, and the wind is made up of |
| will make the liquid solidify almost | | | | electric currents sent by the computer and |
| instantly. The sensitivity of liquid crystals | | | | designed to create a specific light pattern |
| to temperature can be an advantage, or a | | | | that your eye will interpret as words or |
| disadvantage. It allows for the highly | | | | images. |
| successful use of liquid crystals in devices | | | | |