Complex spontaneous flows and concentration banding in active polar films

Luca Giomi, M. Cristina Marchetti, Tanniemola B. Liverpool

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

96 Scopus citations

Abstract

We study the dynamical properties of active polar liquid crystalline films. Like active nematic films, active polar films undergo a dynamical transition to spontaneously flowing steady states. Spontaneous flow in polar fluids is, however, always accompanied by strong concentration inhomogeneities or "banding" not seen in nematics. In addition, a spectacular property unique to polar active films is their ability to generate spontaneously oscillating and banded flows even at low activity. The oscillatory flows become increasingly complicated for strong polarity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number198101
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume101
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 4 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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