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arXiv · 0805.1680

Complex Spontaneous Flows and Concentration Banding in Active Polar Films

Luca Giomi·M. Cristina Marchetti·Tanniemola B. Liverpool
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Abstract

We study the dynamical properties of active polar liquid crystalline films. Like active nematic films, active polar films undergo a dynamical transitions to spontaneously flowing steady-states. Spontaneous flow in polar fluids is, however, always accompanied by strong concentration inhomogeneities or "banding" not seen in nematics. In addition, a spectacular property unique to polar active films is their ability to generate spontaneously oscillating and banded flows even at low activity. The oscillatory flows become increasingly complicated for strong polarity.

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Luca Giomi, M. Cristina Marchetti, Tanniemola B. Liverpool. 2008-05-12. Complex Spontaneous Flows and Concentration Banding in Active Polar Films. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.101.198101

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