Controllable particle migration in liquid crystal flows.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 36056713.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1039/d2sm00707j.
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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.