Bulletin of the American Physical Society
APS March Meeting 2022
Volume 67, Number 3
Monday–Friday, March 14–18, 2022; Chicago
Session F20: Active Matter and Liquid Crystals in Biological and Bio-Inspired Systems I
8:00 AM–11:00 AM,
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Room: McCormick Place W-185BC
Sponsoring
Units:
DSOFT DPOLY GSNP
Chair: Mehdi Molaei, U Chicago
Abstract: F20.00011 : Light-induced 2D micro-swimmers at the nematic-isotropic interface of a thermotropic liquid crystal
10:00 AM–10:12 AM
Presenter:
Antonio Tavera-Vazquez
(University of Chicago)
Authors:
Antonio Tavera-Vazquez
(University of Chicago)
Danai Montalvan
(Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico UNAM)
Noe d Atzin
(University of Chicago)
Gustavo R Perez Lemus
(University of Chicago)
Vinothan N Manoharan
(Harvard University)
Juan De Pablo
(University of Chicago)
Our system consists of quasi-2D micron-sized platelets that are formed after drying droplets of a water-soluble dye on a glass surface. The platelets are then immersed in 5CB. Since the local temperature of the medium is tunable while shining light on a dyed platelet, it locally induces the nematic-isotropic (NI) phase transition of the LC, as the absorbed energy is released as heat. The platelet then self-propels after harnessing the energy from the surroundings and transforming it to generate mechanical impulses. The irregular morphology of the platelet maximizes the area of light absorption and contributes to the local symmetry-breaking in the system. As a result, a net force is induced on the platelet, and hence the platelet moves. An introduction to molecular dynamics and continuum simulations is also given to figure out the local physical phenomena occurring in the system.
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