Forty years ago, the work of Gray in liquid crystal displays (LCD) has been published, giving rise to a multi-billion

This spring sees two important anniversaries British discoveries. We're well documented and familiar characters. Their discovery catapulted into the public consciousness, and together could hardly have received more praise. Scientists are concerned Francis Crick, James Watson, Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin. April 23 sees the 60th anniversary of his papers announcing the double helix structure of DNA and thus the birth of modern biotechnology.

Another discovery has undoubtedly had a major impact on our society, but unlike Crick et al, the man responsible, George Gray, is only known in some scientific circles (except perhaps a few passengers on board a train for the city that bears his name). However, you are probably reading this on a device that owes its existence to Gray, and he developed molecules that have liquid crystal displays (LCD) viable. Forty years ago today, his work has been published, prompting a multi-billion dollars by the current abundance of flat screen devices possible.

So what LCD monitors ideal for everything from digital watches for tablet computers? Firstly, it is foreign material that goes against science classes at school in the three states of matter. Our teachers told us about solids, liquids and gases. In solids, the molecules are separated and compared with less static to each other, while the flow of liquid because of their molecules are free to move around each other. Liquid crystals are somewhere between the two, is a fourth state of matter - which can take as liquids while maintaining a certain order in dry matter

The feature that gives them this function is odd is its shape. Liquid crystal molecules are almost always long and thin. This means that aligned parallel to one another, while being free to move. You can see the same thing happening in packets of pasta. Clamshell conchiglie is a random mixture confusion penne tubes begin to align with their neighbors, while the spaghetti is packed in clean lines and parallel. But the different types of dough will not stick to each other so as to be movable beyond its neighbors (such as molecules of a liquid).

The second important characteristic of LCD is the way they interact with polarized light, reversing the orientation of the liquid crystals can change from opaque to transparent (like tubes - keep them in one advice and look through them, but turn 90 degrees and can not be). This process can be controlled with a small electric field. Once this was discovered, it is difficult to see how it can become flat screens. Gray not invent liquid crystals. In fact, they are quite common, every cell in our body is surrounded by a liquid crystalline membrane. Or demonstrate that liquid crystals are unique flippable suitable for screens. Gray breakthrough was the development of molecules that are flippable at room temperature. But like many large developing innovations has not been easy, largely because there was little interest in funding research on molecules that, at the time, had no requests clear. Back LCD curiosities in the ubiquitous technologies which are now required both a burning need new screens and vision of one of the most colorful ministers. Enter John Stonehouse, the technology minister Harold Wilson. Stonehouse wanted a technology capable of producing flat color screens (about 30 years before LCD TVs became the norm) to replace CRTs cost huge sums (MoD more than the cost of developing the Concorde) in royalties. Thus, in 1968, created a working group composed of senior military commanders, government officials and scientists to find a suitable replacement technology.

Also have been blessed with the vision of a copy of LCDs, but not so hot with their own businesses. Shortly after the first LCD devices were manufactured, their clothes were found piled up on a Florida beach with no sign of her body. He had apparently committed suicide after a series of disastrous business. In fact, he faked his own death and detachment was on his way to Australia to start a new life with her lover. The law has caught up and briefly confused before Lord Lucan sentenced to several years in prison. As if that was not enough to intrigue a man who also happens to be a spy Czech

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