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Connecting and disconnecting nematic disclination lines in microfluidic channels
1Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPIDS), Am Fassberg 17, 37077 Göttingen, Germany. christian.bahr@ds.mpg.de.
Soft Matter
|April 16, 2016
Summary
Researchers developed a method to control disclination lines in liquid crystals for microfluidic transport. This technique allows for interruptible and reconnectable "soft rails" for moving colloids and droplets.
Area of Science:
- Soft Matter Physics
- Microfluidics
- Colloidal Science
Background:
- Disclination lines in nematic liquid crystals act as "soft rails" for microfluidic transport of particles.
- Controlling these disclination lines is crucial for precise manipulation of colloids and droplets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for connecting and disconnecting disclination lines in microfluidic channels.
- To demonstrate an interruptible and reconnectable system for colloidal transport using electric fields.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the interplay between anchoring, fluid flow, and electric fields.
- Applying electric fields to manipulate disclination line formation and continuity within microfluidic channels.
Main Results:
- Successfully demonstrated the ability to connect and disconnect disclination lines on demand.
- An applied electric field created a continuous disclination across a region with altered anchoring conditions.
- This established an interruptible and reconnectable soft rail for colloidal transport.
Conclusions:
- The developed method offers precise control over disclination lines in microfluidic systems.
- This provides a novel approach for tunable colloidal transport using electric field-responsive liquid crystal interfaces.
