Nematic Colloids in Microfluidic Confinement

Abstract

Colloid particles dispersed within a nematic matrix offer numerous directions with regards to novel metamaterial and photonic applications. Although nematic colloids undergo elasticity mediated self-assembly with significant efficiency, additional tools like optical trapping, have enhanced the control over assembling colloidal structures of different forms and dimensions. In this chapter, we shall look into some interesting aspects of nematic colloids in flow. On one hand, we shall harness topological defects for guided transport of microfluidic cargo (colloids and droplets), on the other hand, nematic colloids will be applied to extract information about the flow-induced director orientation. This chapter is expected to project some distinct capabilities of LC-based microfluidics, as compared to isotropic fluidics.