Fig. 1.

(A) Molecular structure of DSCG. (B) Schematic illustration of the self-assembly of DSCG molecules into columnar aggregates that exhibit long-range orientational order in a nematic LC phase. (C) Schematic illustration of a RBC with biconcave shape suspended in an isotropic aqueous solution of DSCG, with D showing a profile view. (E) Schematic illustration of a RBC strained by a nematic LC phase formed from DSCG, with F showing a profile view. The double-ended arrow in E shows the orientation of LC director along the x axis, which also corresponds to the principal direction of strain of the RBC. The rods in C–F correspond to columnar aggregates in B.