Used in liquid crystal research due to its thermotropic mesomorphic properties, exhibiting a cholesteric (chiral nematic) phase over a specific temperature range. This behavior makes it valuable for studying helical structures in liquid crystals and for developing temperature-sensitive optical devices. It has also been explored in the formulation of functional materials for sensors and display technologies where reversible phase transitions and selective light reflection are required. Additionally, cholesteryl cinnamate serves as a model compound in photoresponsive systems, especially when modified for crosslinking under UV exposure, enabling applications in smart films and tunable optical filters.