Formation of a quasi-equilibrium domain structure of crystals of the TGS group near TC

In the temperature range ΔT ≈ 321 K ÷ 322 K, the kinetics of the nonequilibrium domain structure of triglycine sulphate crystals, both pure and with specially introduced defects, has been studied by means of piezoresponse force microscopy technique. The temporal change in the domain structure as a set of regions with a scalar order parameter of P (r, t) = +1 and −1 for oppositely polarized domains was analysed by the behaviour of the space-time correlation function C(r,t) = ·Р(r,t)Р(0,t)Ò. At different distances from the Curie point Tc, the characteristic length Lc, as a scale measure of the average domain size, increases with time according to the power law Lc(t)~(t−t0)a. A decrease of the exponent a with distance from Tc can be a consequence of the transition of the domain structure of TGS crystals from a non-conservative state to aconservative one.

Phase separation dynamics in aqueous solutions of thermoresponsive polymers

Phase transition kinetics of aqueous hydroxypropyl cellulose solution was studied by using turbidimetric monitoring and mathematical modelling techniques. Based on the nonlinear Cahn-Hilliard equation with a mobility depending on the component concentration, the phase separation has been modeled on a simple one-dimensional Flory lattice. For value set of the interfacial energy parameter, data were obtained on the changing of the average values of the cluster sizes, their mass and concentration. The simulation results allow us to distinguish three stages of the spinodal decomposition: early, intermediate and final. It was found that for the intermediate stage, the kinetics of the cluster mass growth is described by a dependence that is characteristic of the usual diffusion mass transfer; the change in the average cluster size can be represented by a scaling function with an exponent close to 1/3, typical of the systems with a conserved scalar order parameter. It is shown that the concentration of clusters at the final stage is determined by the temperature dependence of the interfacial energy.

Exploring Hidden Local Ordering in Microemulsions with a Weak Directive Second Order Parameter

So far, the near-surface ordering of microemulsions was focused on lamellar ordering while the bulk microemulsion was bicontinuous. In a series of different non-ionic surfactants the near-surface ordering of microemulsions at a hydrophilic silicon surface was studied using grazing incidence small angle neutron scattering. For the surfactant C8E3, most likely a gyroid structure was found at the solid–liquid interface, while the more efficient surfactants find lamellar ordering up to lamellar capillary condensation. The ranges for near-surface ordering are deeper than the bulk correlation lengths. These findings point towards theories that use directional order parameters that would lead to deeper near-surface ordering than simple theories with a single scalar order parameter would predict. Rheology experiments display high viscosities at very low shear rates and, therefore, support the existence of a directional order parameter.

Liquid crystal elastomer shell actuators with negative order parameter

Liquid crystals (LCs) are nonsolids with long-range orientational order, described by a scalar order parameter〈P2〉=12〈3cos2β−1〉. Despite the vast set of existing LC materials, one-third of the order parameter value range,−1/2< 〈P2〉 < 0, has until now been inaccessible. Here, we present the first material with negative LC order parameter in its ground state, in the form of elastomeric shells. The optical and actuation characteristics are opposite to those of conventional LC elastomers (LCEs). This novel class of anti-ordered elastomers gives access to the previously secluded range of liquid crystallinity with 〈P2〉 < 0, providing new challenges for soft matter physics and adding a complementary type of LCE actuator that is attractive for applications in, e.g., soft robotics.

Thin-film models for an active gel

In this study, we present a free-boundary problem for an active liquid crystal starting with the Beris–Edwards theory that uses a tensorial order parameter and includes active contributions to the stress tensor and then derive from it the Eriksen model for an active polar gel and scalar order parameter to analyse the rich defect structure observed in applications such as the adenosinetriphosphate-driven motion of a thin film of an actin filament network. The small aspect ratio of the film geometry allows for an asymptotic approximation of the free-boundary problem in the limit of weak elasticity of the network and strong active terms. The new thin-film model captures the defect dynamics in the bulk as well as wall defects and thus presents a significant extension of previous models based on the Leslie–Erickson–Parodi theory. As an example we derive the explicit solution for an active gel confined to a channel, which has discontinuous director profile leading to a bidirectional flow structure generated by the active terms.

A non-isothermal phase-field model for shape memory alloys: Numerical simulations of superelasticity and shape memory effect under stress-controlled conditions

A phase-field–based model has been employed for numerical tests on the mechanical response of a shape memory alloy. The model consists of a time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau equation for a scalar order parameter describing the local phase of the material (austenite or martensite), coupled with the balance of linear momentum and the heat equations; the mechanical effect of the martensitic phase transition is described in terms of a uniaxial deformation strain along a fixed direction, making the model suited for predictions over monodimensional specimens. A number of numerical simulations under stress-controlled conditions have been performed to investigate the mechanical behaviour of the model; the results obtained are analysed in relation to the experimental evidences available in the literature and previous investigations under strain-controlled conditions.

Flowing liquid crystal simulating the Schwarzschild metric

We show how to simulate the equatorial section of the Schwarzschild metric through a flowing liquid crystal in its nematic phase. Inside a liquid crystal in the nematic phase, a traveling light ray feels an effective metric, whose properties are linked to perpendicular and parallel refractive indexes, n o and n e respectively, of the rod-like molecule of the liquid crystal. As these indexes depend on the scalar order parameter of the liquid crystal, the Beris-Edwards hydrodynamic theory is used to connect the order parameter with the velocity of a liquid crystal flow at each point. This way we calculate a radial velocity profile that simulates the equatorial section of the Schwarzschild metric, in the region outside of Schwarzschild’s radius, in the nematic phase of the liquid crystal. In our model, the higher flow velocity can be on the order of some meters per second.

The Symmetry-Conforming Theory of Martensite Aging

The Landau theory has been developed for the description of martensite aging. The characteristic features of the theory are: i) the multicomponent non-scalar character of the order parameter describing the slow reconfiguration of lattice defects after martensitic transformation (MT); ii) the complete agreement with Symmetry-Conforming Short-Range-Order principle formulated by X. Ren and K. Otsuka; iii) the applicability to the different MT-s and various defects related to aging phenomena. The physical values interpreted as the components of internal stress, which stabilizes certain variant of martensitic phase, have been composed of the components of slow non-scalar order parameter. An applicability of the developed theory to the description of influence of aging on the MT temperature and yield stress was demonstrated.