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arXiv · 1607.03911

Thermal diode made by nematic liquid crystal

Djair Melo·Ivna Fernandes·Fernando Moraes·Sébastien Fumeron·Erms Pereira
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Abstract

This work investigates how a thermal diode can be designed from a nematic liquid crystal confined inside a cylindrical capillary. In the case of homeotropic anchoring, a defect structure called escaped radial disclination arises. The asymmetry of such structure causes thermal rectification rates up to 3.5\% at room temperature, comparable to thermal diodes made from carbon nanotubes. Sensitivity of the system with respect the heat power supply, the geometry of the capillary tube and the molecular anchoring angle is also discussed.

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Djair Melo, Ivna Fernandes, Fernando Moraes, Sébastien Fumeron, Erms Pereira. 2016-07-13. Thermal diode made by nematic liquid crystal. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physleta.2016.07.025

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