Flow in Smectic Liquid Crystal Films: Examining the Flow Field of a Smectic Liquid Crystal Film due to Fluid Ejected From a Small Nozzle
ORAL
Abstract
The rheological properties of 2D fluids are well-understood theoretically, but few experiments testing theoretical predictions have been carried out. We have used MX 12805, a smectic C liquid crystal at room temperature, to create quasi-2D films with which to study high-Reynolds number flow. We map the flow field as the fluid is ejected from a thin nozzle into a large reservoir, probing both laminar and turbulent flow. We also attempt to carry out the experiment in a vacuum to study the true 2D-regime; despite encountering experimental difficulties, some useful information can still be gleaned.
*This work was supported by NASA Grant NNX-13AQ81G, by the Soft Materials Research Center under NSF MRSEC Grants DMR-0820579 and DMR-1420736, by Department of Energy Grant DE-FG02-08ER54995, and by NSF Grant CBET-0854108.
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