Controllable particle migration in liquid crystal flows

Lesniewska, M., Mottram, N. and Henrich, O. (2022) Controllable particle migration in liquid crystal flows. Soft Matter, 18(36), pp. 6942-6953. (doi: 10.1039/D2SM00707J) (PMID:36056713)

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Abstract

We observe novel positional control of a colloidal particle in microchannel flow of a nematic liquid crystal. Lattice Boltzmann simulations show multiple equilibrium particle positions, the existence and position of which are tunable using the driving pressure, in direct contrast to the classical Segré–Silberberg effect in isotropic liquids. In addition, particle migration in nematic flow occurs an order of magnitude faster. These new equilibria are determined through a balance of elastic forces, hydrodynamic lift and drag as well as order-flow interactions through the defect structure around the particle.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:We acknowledge support from EPSRC under Grant No. EP/ N019180/2 (O. H.) and EP/R513349/1 (M. L.). M. L. acknowledges funding from the Mac Robertson Postgraduate Travel Scholarship.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Mottram, Professor Nigel
Authors: Lesniewska, M., Mottram, N., and Henrich, O.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Mathematics
Journal Name:Soft Matter
Publisher:Royal Society of Chemistry
ISSN:1744-683X
ISSN (Online):1744-6848
Published Online:26 August 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 The Royal Society of Chemistry
First Published:First published in Soft Matter 18(36): 6942-6953
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons license

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