Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Formulation and Acoustic Modulation of Optically Vaporized Perfluorocarbon Nanodroplets
Published on: July 16, 2021
Liquid crystal nanodroplets in solution
W Michael Brown1, Matt K Petersen, Steven J Plimpton
1Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA. wmbrown@sandia.gov
Abstract:
The aggregation of liquid crystal nanodroplets from a homogeneous solution is studied by molecular dynamics simulations. The liquid crystal particles are modeled as elongated ellipsoidal Gay-Berne particles while the solvent is modeled as spherical Lennard-Jones particles. Extending previous studies of Berardi et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 126, 044905 (2007)], we find that liquid crystal nanodroplets are not stable and that after sufficiently long times the nanodroplets always aggregate into a single large droplet. Results describing the droplet shape and orientation for different temperatures and shear rates are presented. The implementation of the Gay-Berne potential for biaxial ellipsoidal particles in a parallel molecular dynamics code is also briefly discussed.
More Related Videos
06:16Fabrication of Spherical and Worm-shaped Micellar Nanocrystals by Combining Electrospray, Self-assembly, and Solvent-based Structure Control
Published on: February 11, 2018
07:10Production of Membrane-Filtered Phase-Shift Decafluorobutane Nanodroplets from Preformed Microbubbles
Published on: March 23, 2021
Related Concept Videos
The Colloidal State
Colloids
Recrystallization: Solid–Solution Equilibria
Colloidal precipitates
Colloids and Suspensions
Liquid–Solid Solutions