This is a short clip of a German film with an English voice over commentary. The experiments concern a nematic phase, pictured throughout of an undisclosed substance and is, presumably, intended to illustrate the affects of applied voltages and electrical fields to a liquid crystalline nematic mesophase. The intended audience might be undergraduates taking a liquid crystal option as part of a chemistry, physics or materials science degree, or post graduate students.

The experiments shown are without prior explanation of the nature of the apparatus and equipment used, or of the substance, or liquid crystalline mixture, in question. However they do cover in some detail the affects of applied voltages and fields to a nematic melt. The results are viewed throughout the clip as if one were looking down a polarising microscope, although the audience is at no point told that this is actually what they are seeing.

The experiments portrayed are difficult to set up and view in a satisfactory manner in an undergraduate situation and hence this clip is a very useful one. The commentary is specialised and minimalist but absolutely correct, if somewhat dispassionate. The quality of the images shown is very good and the fact that it is shown in real time and very well focussed is impressive.

However, the clip would only be of value to a reasonably expert post-graduate or advanced undergraduate on an appropriately specialised course. It would require qualification for use in teaching and would probably be most useful as part of a lecture. The video might be improved by the addition of a pre-amble showing the apparatus being used, the substance or mixture under test and some background as to the significance of the experiments performed.