The present investigation explores memory behavior in pristine ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLC) and their composites. The induced non-volatile memory traces back its origin from the reconfiguration of helical ar-range- ment of LC molecules under the influence of synchronous cycle of temperature-voltage. The addition of SiO ₂ quantum dots provides pronounceable memory behavior, which can be applied for coding optical or electrical field motivated LC based storage devices. The measurement of the polarized state of the FLC molecules and their composites has been carried out dielectrically upto 1 h projecting non-volatile memory effects. The analysis of geometrical arrangement of LC molecules and surface effects due to the incorporation of quantum dots and simultaneous stimulations of temperature and voltage cycle has been reckoned in the study. The traps on the surface of the dispersed quantum dots capture mobile ions and force the LC molecules in the vicinity of quantum dots to display reminiscences of switched state. The dispersion of SiO ₂ ensures efficient memorized orientation in the formulated composites resulting in steady memory behavior.

Liquid crystals decorated gold nanoparticles are synthesized as the molecular architecture consists of the azobenzenes moieties with alkene as the peripheral units, which are connected to gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) via thiolated phenolic units are in the middle. The morphology and mesomorphic properties were investigated by the field emission scanning electron microscope, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and polarizing optical microscopy. The aromatic thiolated azobenzene moieties with gold nanoparticles showed smectic A phase with monotropic nature only appeared in the cooling cycle. HR-TEM measurement showed that the functionalized Au-NPs are well dispersed without any aggregation. However, the absorption spectrum of peripheral azobenzene units shows strong absorption maxima in the ultraviolet region at 378 nm due to π-π* transition. For n-π* transition, a weak absorption band is observed in the visible region at 472 nm. The photo-isomerization characteristic is measured using absorption spectroscopy. The photosatur- ation of Au-NPs is found at the time duration of 16 s. The thermal back relaxation is completed after the time interval of 70 min. Moreover, Au-NPs showed excellent stability towards photo-decay. Therefore, Au-NPs compound is suitable in the field of optical storage and molecular switching.

The structural integrity of biological membranes is maintained by membrane proteins embedded in the lipid bilayer. A delicate balance of weak interactions between the lipid bilayer and membrane associated proteins regulates cellular homeostasis and disease states. Recently, there has been a growing interest in the construction of in vitro mimics of biological membranes. This allows the study of multiple facets of complex interactions involving lipids and proteins in a simple environment. In recent years, liquid crystal (LC) interfaces decorated with self-assembled layers of phospholipids have evolved as biomimetic systems for systematic study of lipid- protein interactions. Binding of proteins to these phospholipid-laden fluid interfaces can be coupled to the orientational ordering of LCs. In this minireview, we have surveyed the key investigations of these interactions using LC interfaces as the sensing platform. Micrometer thick films of liquid crystals can report interactions ranging from hydrolysis of lipids by enzymatic peptides to membrane induced amyloid formation.