By using optically active liquid crystals as reaction sites, researchers at University of Tsukuba have successfully achieved the living polymerization of polymers with aligned helical structures. In this process, optically inactive monomers adopt the chiral (mirror-image) structure in liquid crystals as they grow, resulting in optically active polymers. By using optically active liquid crystals as reaction sites, researchers at University of Tsukuba have successfully achieved the living polymerization of polymers with aligned helical structures. In this process, optically inactive monomers adopt the chiral (mirror-image) structure in liquid crystals as they grow, resulting in optically active polymers. Polymers Analytical Chemistry Phys.org – latest science and technology news stories