Field generated nematic microflows via backflow mechanism

Povzetek

Generation of flow is an important aspect in microfluidic applications and generally relies on external pumps or embedded moving mechanical parts which pose distinct limitations and protocols on the use of microfluidic systems. A possible approach to avoid moving mechanical parts is to generate flow by changing some selected property or structure of the fluid. In fluids with internal orientational order such as nematic liquid crystals, this process of flow generation is known as the backflow effect. In this article, we demonstrate the contact-free generation of microfluidic material flows in nematic fluids -including directed contact-free pumping- by external electric and optical fields based on the dynamic backflow coupling between nematic order and material flow. Using numerical modelling, we design efficient shaping and driving of the backflow-generated material flow using spatial profiles and time modulations of electric fields with oscillating amplitude, rotating electric fields and optical fields. Particularly, we demonstrate how such periodic external fields generate efficient net average nematic flows through a microfluidic channel, that avoid usual invariance under time-reversal limitations. We show that a laser beam with rotating linear polarization can create a vortex-like flow structure and can act as a local flow pump without moving mechanical parts. The work could be used for advanced microfluidic applications, possibly by creating custom microfluidic pathways without predefined channels based on the adaptivity of an optical set-up, with a far reaching unconventional idea to realize channel-less microfluidics.

Ključne besede

mikrofluidika;nematske tekočine;microfluidics;nematic fluids;

Podatki

Jezik:	Angleški jezik
Leto izida:	2020
Tipologija:	1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
Organizacija:	UL FMF - Fakulteta za matematiko in fiziko
UDK:	532.5
COBISS:	3408996
ISSN:	2045-2322
Št. ogledov:	284
Št. prenosov:	91
Ocena:	0 (0 glasov)
Metapodatki:

Ostali podatki

Sekundarni jezik:	Slovenski jezik
Sekundarne ključne besede:	mikrofluidika;nematske tekočine;
Vrsta dela (COBISS):	Članek v reviji
Strani:	10 str.
Letnik:	ǂVol. ǂ10
Zvezek:	ǂart. no. ǂ1446
Čas izdaje:	Jan. 2020
DOI:	10.1038/s41598-020-57944-5
ID:	13153728