1. A state of matter in liquid crystals characterized by rod-shaped molecules that are oriented in the same direction but lack positional order; also, the study or science of such materials.
Usage: technical; physics; materials science; plural form; singular is 'nematic'

Examples

• Nematics are widely used in liquid crystal displays for televisions and computer screens.
• The alignment of molecules in nematics allows light to be controlled with electrical fields.
• Researchers study nematics to develop new optical technologies.
• Unlike smectics, nematics lack layered molecular structure.
• The nematic phase is one of the most common states found in liquid crystal materials.