Magnetic levitation of liquid crystals

The principle of magnetic levitation is demonstrated using a large magnetic field gradient to elevate a polycrystalline sample of dodecyloxycyanobiphenyl against gravity. Additionally, a nematic droplet of pentylcyanobiphenyl clinging to a vertically oriented wire is elevated against gravity. The contact angle and length of the droplet are extracted from the droplet shape in the context of a gravitation-free model.