Work

Shaping Nematic Liquid Crystal Flow States with In-Plane Electric Fields

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We demonstrate electrical control of flow states in a nematic liquid crystal driven through microfluidic channels. Patterned electrodes generate in-plane fields using a 1 Hz bipolar square-wave drive with peak amplitudes of 3.5 to 9 V. At flow velocities of 50 to 80 μms−1, these fields reversibly reshape flowing dowser domains, split them into smaller domains, and nucleate new dowser or chiral domains. Field orientation and flow conditions select between domain pairs, individual domains and chiral streams, with nucleation intervals of 0.5 to 2 s under steady flow. Combining the field with pulsating flow produces larger individual domains. These results establish patterned electrodes as localized electrical triggers for controlling nematic flow states, with prospects for integration in optofluidic and lab-on-a-chip devices.

Source: Materials

DOI: 10.3390/ma19204355

Authors: Tadej Emeršič, Uroš Tkalec

Institutions: University of Luxembourg, University of Ljubljana, Jožef Stefan Institute, University of Maribor

Language: English

Topic: Liquid Crystal Research Advancements

Subfield: Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137

Funder: Javna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost RS