Dielectrowetting of a thin nematic liquid crystal layer

We consider a mathematical model that describes the flow of a nematic liquid crystal (NLC) film placed on a flat substrate, across which a spatially varying electric potential is applied. Due to their polar nature, NLC molecules interact with the (nonuniform) electric field generated, leading to instability of a flat film. Implementation of the long wave scaling leads to a partial differential equation that predicts the subsequent time evolution of the thin film. This equation is coupled to a boundary value problem that describes the interaction between the local molecular orientation of the NLC (the director field) and the electric potential. We investigate numerically the behavior of an initially flat film for a range of film heights and surface anchoring conditions.

Automated summary

The mathematical model describes the flow of a nematic liquid crystal film on a flat substrate under the influence of a spatially varying electric potential, causing instability. By using long wave scaling, a partial differential equation predicts the time evolution of the thin film and is coupled with a boundary value problem. Numerical investigation was conducted on the behavior of the initially flat film for various film heights and surface anchoring conditions.