Voltage control of molecular diffusion through novel liquid crystalline membranes

A preliminary investigation into the behaviour of a novel polymer membrane containing an embedded liquid crystal under the influence of very low (1 V/mm) DC and AC 100 Hz electric field stresses has been carried out. The rate of diffusion of methylene blue in an aqueous solution with applied electrical stress is reported. The results suggest that the rate of diffusion of methylene blue through the membrane can be controlled by the polarity of an applied DC voltage and by the application of a sinusoidal AC field.