Connecting and disconnecting nematic disclination lines in microfluidic channels. Issue 18 (15th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Agha, Hakam; Bahr, Christian
• Is Part Of: Soft matter. Volume 12:Issue 18(2016)
• Page Start: 4266
• Page End: 4273
• Publication Date: 2016-04-15
• Subjects: Soft condensed matter -- Periodicals; 530.413
• DOI: 10.1039/c5sm03092g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-683X

Abstract

Abstract : Using the interplay between anchoring, flow and electric field, nematic disclination lines in microfluidic channels can be connected and disconnected. Abstract : Disclination lines in nematic liquid crystals can be used as "soft rails" for the transport of colloids or droplets through microfluidic channels [A. Sengupta, C. Bahr and S. Herminghaus, Soft Matter, 2013, 9, 7251]. In the present study we report on a method to connect and disconnect disclination lines in microfluidic channels using the interplay between anchoring, flow, and electric field. We show that the application of an electric field establishes a continuous disclination that spans across a channel region in which a disclination usually would not exist (because of different anchoring conditions), demonstrating an interruptible and reconnectable soft rail for colloidal transport.