Active nematic response to a deformable body or boundary: elastic deformations and anchoring-induced flow
Autor: | Chandler, Thomas G. J., Spagnolie, Saverio E. |
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Rok vydání: | 2024 |
Předmět: | |
Druh dokumentu: | Working Paper |
Popis: | A body immersed in a nematic liquid crystal disturbs the fluid's preferred molecular configuration and increases its stored elastic energy. In an active nematic, the fluid components also generate a stress in the bulk fluid. By introducing either an immersed body or boundary, a fluid flow can be triggered due to anchoring boundary conditions. The fluid imposes elastic, viscous, and active stresses on such surfaces, which, if compliant, may result in a surface deformation. We study the deformations and stress in a linearly elastic body placed in an active nematic in two-dimensions. Using complex variables techniques, exact expressions for the fluid flow, director field, surface tractions, and body deformation are derived. Qualitative differences between elastic and active stress-driven deformations are identified, depending on an active Ericksen number, anchoring conditions, and body material properties, thereby suggesting a new method for measuring the active stresses in active anisotropic biological systems. Flow profiles, external confinement, and anchoring-induced stirring are also addressed. Comment: Paper: 8 pages, 4 figures; Supplemental Material: 7 pages |
Databáze: | arXiv |
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