1. Could you explain the significance of your article to the non-specialist?

Stable free standing liquid filaments are rare structures in nature. In some non-Newtonian liquids, a dynamic stabilization is observed during the pulling of the fluid from a bulk phase. 

In a few liquid crystalline phases, such structures with slenderness ratios of 1000 and above can be stabilized by an internal (layer) arrangement of the molecules, while they retain their liquid properties along the filament axis. So far, the relation between filament stability and internal molecular structure remained mostly unclear, and by microscopy, AFM and SEM investigation, we elucidate the microstructure of these objects.

 

2. What has motivated you to conduct this work?

Earlier experiments (Jákli et al., Stannarius et al.) have revealed interesting dynamic properties of these liquid crystalline filaments, which cannot fully be explained within the known dynamic models. Furthermore, it is unknown until now which structural parameters lead to the stabilization of these structures at all, experimental data are scarce in particular microscopic characterization.

 

3. Where do you see this work developing in the future?

Liquid filaments have the potential to be used in the preparation of highly ordered microstructures. Polymerization, gelation, or crystallization may be used to transform these microstructures in rigid rods of controlled diameter and internal structure.

 

4. Are there any particular challenges facing future research in this area?

Still, the stabilizing mechanism is not revealed. Experiments with liquid crystalline phases of different structural properties will be performed in the future to obtain a clearer picture.