Submersed Micropatterned Structures Control Active Nematic Flow, Topology and Concentration

Authors:
  • KTKristian Thijssen
    Kristian Thijssen
  • DKDimitrius Khaladj
    Dimitrius Khaladj
  • SAS. Ali Aghvami
    S. Ali Aghvami
  • MGMohamed Amine Gharbi
    Mohamed Amine Gharbi
  • SFSeth Fraden
    Seth Fraden
  • JYJulia M. Yeomans
    Julia M. Yeomans
  • LHLinda S. Hirst
    Linda S. Hirst
  • TSTyler N. Shendruk
    Tyler N. Shendruk
Preprint
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Coupling between flows and material properties imbues rheological matter with its wide-ranging applicability, hence the excitement for harnessing the rheology of active fluids for which internal structure and continuous energy injection lead to spontaneous flows and complex, out-of-equilibrium dynamics. We propose and demonstrate a convenient, highly tuneable method for controlling flow, topology and composition within active films. Our approach establishes rheological coupling via the indirect presence of fully submersed micropatterned structures within a thin, underlying oil layer. Simulations reveal that micropatterned structures produce effective virtual boundaries within the superjacent active nematic film due to differences in viscous dissipation as a function of depth. This accessible method of applying position-dependent, effective dissipation to the active films presents a non-intrusive pathway for engineering active microfluidic systems.