Fig. 1. （a） Molecular formula of typical thermotropic liquid crystal 5CB and the equivalent molecular model； （b） Molecular formula of typical lyotropicchromonic liquid crystal DSCG and SSY，the equivalent molecular model is shown on the right； （c） Molecular arrangement of various phases in thermotropic liquid crystals （TLCs） and lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals （LCLCs）.

Fig. 2. （a）LCLCs with uniform orientation before applying a magnetic field^［35］； （b）Change in bacterial motion direction in LCLCs after applying a magnetic field^［35］； （c）Dynamic magnetic field-induced reorientation of LCLCs droplets^［36］； （d）Magnetic field modulation of lattice structure of LCLCs droplet distribution^［36］.

Fig. 3. （a） Patterned flexible thin film polarizer^［44］；（b） UV light-induced DSCG liquid crystals phase transition^［48］；（c） Design diagram for DMD light-controlled orientation vector^［7］； （d） Corresponding DSCG liquid crystals pattern^［7］.

Fig. 4. （a） Shear rate-induced orientation vector alignment of LCLCs^［49］； （b） Temperature gradient-induced rotation of LCLCs droplets^［55］； （c） Design of high-resolution micro-nano surface and corresponding LCLCs orientation^［53］.

Fig. 5. （a） Influence of different ionic salts on the phase transition temperature of DSCG liquid crystals with an illustration of possible mechanisms involving cation assembly^［60］； （b）Cholesteric phase of LCLCs in a wedge cell^［68］；（c）Fingerprint texture of chiral LCLCs^［69］； （d） Optical images of droplets formed by polymer doping and the corresponding formation mechanism^［62］； （e）Optical images of droplets formed by surfactant doping and the corresponding formation mechanism^［65］； （f）Formation of donut-shaped defects by PEG doping^［63］； （g）Frank-Pryce texture formed by chiral DSCG droplets^［70］； （h）Maltese cross configuration formed by chiral SSY droplets^［71］.

Fig. 6. （a）A microfluidic device^［74］；（b）Schematic diagram of microfluidic channels and hydrophobic nanopores^［75］；（c）Another microfluidic device and the generated chiral SSY droplets^［77］； （d）Dendritic patterns observed during the injection of low viscosity silicone oil^［78］.

Fig. 7. （a） Molecular structure of chiral agent， as well as the schematic and real images of LCLCs hydrogel， which exhibits deformability upon temperature changes^［79］； （b） Deformability of hydrogel in different cutting directions^［80］； （c） Preparation route of LCLCs hydrogel^［81］； （d） Schematic diagram of the combination of LCLCs and hydrogel^［82］.