As a 2 mm drop of an isotropic aqueous liquid crystal (disodium cromoglycate solution) dries on an untreated surface, the suspended liquid crystal aggregates are transported to the drop perimeter by an evaporation-driven capillary flow. This leads to a non-uniform liquid crystal concentration along the drop radius, as evidenced by different liquid crystal phases from the drop edge to the center: columnar, nematic, and isotropic. The drop is visualized from below using crossed polarizers.

This contribution shows a special view of a drop of an isotropic aqueous liquid crystal on an untreated surface, where the suspended liquid crystal aggregates are transported to the drop perimeter by an evaporation-driven capillary flow. Attractively it evidences the ability of a disodium cromoglycate solution to form different liquid crystal phases from the drop edge to the center: columnar, nematic, and isotropic. It is a suggestive and new view of the aesthetic beauty always highlighted by liquid crystals.