The use of artificial intelligence in liquid crystal applications: A review

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have significantly influenced scientific discovery and analysis, including liquid crystals. This paper reviews the use of AI in predicting the properties of liquid crystals and improving their sensing applications. Typically, liquid crystals are utilized as sensors in biomedical detection and diagnostics, and in the detection of heavy metal ions and gases. Traditional methods of analysis used in these applications are often subjective, expensive, and time-consuming. To surmount these challenges, AI methods such as convolutional neural networks (CNN) and support vector machines (SVM) have been recently utilized to predict liquid crystal properties and improve the resulting performance of the sensing applications. Large amounts of data are, however, required to fully realize the potential of AI methods, which would also need adequate ethical oversight. In addition to experiments, modelling approaches utilizing first principles as well as AI may be employed to supplement and furnish the data. In summary, the review indicates that AI methods hold great promise in the further development of the liquid crystal technology.