Steady flow of a nematic liquid crystal in a slowly varying channel

Quintans Carou, J., Duffy, B. R., Mottram, N. J. and Wilson, S. K. (2005) Steady flow of a nematic liquid crystal in a slowly varying channel. Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals, 438(1), 237[1801]-249[1839]. (doi: 10.1080/15421400590955569)

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Abstract

We consider steady, two-dimensional flow of a thin film of a nematic liquid crystal between a fixed blade of prescribed shape and a planar substrate moving parallel to itself with a constant velocity. We use a combination of analytical and numerical techniques to analyse the Ericksen–Leslie equations governing the fluid velocity and pressure and the director orientation when both the aspect ratio of the slowly varying channel formed between the blade and the substrate and the distortion of the director field are small. We demonstrate that, in the limit of small orientational elasticity, orientational boundary layers occur close to the substrate and close to the blade, and that, in addition, an orientational internal layer may also occur within which the director orientation changes from + Θ0 to − Θ0, where Θ0 is the flow--alignment angle.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Mottram, Professor Nigel
Authors: Quintans Carou, J., Duffy, B. R., Mottram, N. J., and Wilson, S. K.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Mathematics
Journal Name:Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals
Publisher:Taylor and Francis
ISSN:1542-1406
ISSN (Online):1563-5287
Published Online:31 August 2006
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