Biphasic, lyotropic, active nematics.

Journal article

We perform dynamical simulations of a two-dimensional active nematic fluid in coexistence with an isotropic fluid. Drops of active nematic become elongated, and an effective anchoring develops at the nematic-isotropic interface. The activity also causes an undulatory instability of the interface. This results in defects of positive topological charge being ejected into the nematic, leaving the interface with a diffuse negative charge. Quenching the active lyotropic fluid results in a steady state in which phase-separating domains are elongated and then torn apart by active stirring.

Authors: Blow, M; Thampi, S; Yeomans, J

• Journal: Phys Rev Lett
• Volume: 113
• Issue: 24
• Pages: 248303
• Publication date: 2014-12-12
• EISSN: 1079-7114
• Language: English