Regensburg 2013 – scientific programme

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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 44: Wetting, Micro- and Nanofluidics

CPP 44.12: Talk

Thursday, March 14, 2013, 18:30–18:45, H39

Microfluidics of ordered fluids — •Anupam Sengupta, Christian Bahr, and Stephan Herminghaus — Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self Organization, Am Fassberg 17, 37077 Göttingen

Flow of ordered fluids (e.g. liquid crystals) is inherently complex due to the coupling between the flow and the long-range orientational order. Experiments carried out at micro scales further reveal the influence of surface properties on the static and dynamic outcomes. We use microfluidics as a platform to tune one or more of the above competing components, and explore the resulting equilibrium states. The delicate but intricate balance between the viscous, elastic and surface forces was consequently used to devise opto-fluidic and micro-scale-transport applications. On one hand the novel applications complement the conventional microfluidic capabilities, and on the other hand, broaden the reach of 'isotropic' microfluidics by offering competitive advantages. Standard microfluidic techniques and a combination of polarizing optical microscopy, fluorescence confocal polarizing microscopy and particle tracking methods were employed for the investigations.

[1] Nematic textures in microfluidic environment by A. Sengupta, U. Tkalec, Ch. Bahr, Soft Matter 7, 6542, 2011.

[2] Functionalization of microfluidic devices for investigation of liquid crystal flows by A. Sengupta, B. Schulz, E. Ouskova, Ch. Bahr, Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, DOI: 10.1007/s10404-012-1014-7, 2012.

[3] Opto-fluidic velocimetry using liquid crystal microfluidics by A. Sengupta, S. Herminghaus, Ch. Bahr, Applied Physics Letters 101, 164101, 2012.