RECYCLING LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAYS (LCD)
Scientists at the University of New York are playing a pivotal role in reducing the environmental hazard caused by the discarded LCD displays . LCD screens are usually composed of two glass sheets between which a thin film of liquid crystal material is deposited. The new technology will employ an efficient way to take out the viscous liquid crystal from the waste LCD displays. The liquid crystal mixture will be recycled and used into different LCDs. The mixture can also be used for resale.
Liquid crystal displays are optoelectronic device used in displays for watches, calculators, notebook computers, and other electronic devices.
Current passed through specific portions of the liquid crystal solution causes the crystals to align, blocking the passage of light. Doing so in a controlled and organized manner produces visual images on the display screen. The advantage of LCDs is that they are much lighter and consume less power than other display technologies (e.g., cathode-ray tubes). These characteristics make them an ideal choice for flat-panel displays, as in portable laptop and notebook computers.
Liquid crystal is a substance that flows like a liquid but maintains some of the ordered structure characteristic of a crystal.
Some organic substances do not melt directly when heated but instead turn from a crystalline solid to a liquid crystalline state. When heated further, a true liquid is formed. Liquid crystals have unique properties. The structures are easily affected by changes in mechanical stress, electromagnetic fields, temperature, and chemical environment.