A numerical method for solving the dynamic three-dimensional Ericksen-Leslie equations for nematic liquid crystals subject to a strong magnetic field

Author(s)

Cruz, Pedro A. ^[1] ; Tome, Murilo F. ^[1] ; Stewart, Iain W. ^[2] ; McKee, Sean ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Matemat & Computacao, Dept Matemat Aplicada & Estatist, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Strathclyde, Dept Math & Stat, Glasgow G1 1HX, Lanark - Scotland

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics; v. 165, n. 3-4, p. 143-157, FEB 2010.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

A finite difference technique, based on a projection method, is developed for solving the dynamic three-dimensional Ericksen-Leslie equations for nematic liquid crystals subject to a strong magnetic field. The governing equations in this situation are derived using primitive variables and are solved using the ideas behind the GENSMAC methodology (Tome and McKee {[}32]; Tome et al. {[}34]). The resulting numerical technique is then validated by comparing the numerical solution against an analytic solution for steady three-dimensional flow between two-parallel plates subject to a strong magnetic field. The validated code is then employed to solve channel flow for which there is no analytic solution. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 04/16064-9 - Mechanics of non-stationary fluids: applications in aeronautics and rheology
• Grantee: José Alberto Cuminato
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 07/07038-2 - Numerical solution nematic liquid crystal
• Grantee: Pedro Alexandre da Cruz
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate