ER Effect of Low Molecular Liquid Crystal on One-sided Patterned Electrodes

Abstract

ER fluid (Electro-rheological fluid) is a kind of functional fluids whose apparent viscosity changes under an electric field. Recently many researches on this material are developed for applications with clutches, brakes, dampers and other kind of mechatronics technologies. The ER fluids are classified into two types, particle-type ER fluid and homogeneous-type ER fluid. The homogeneous-type ER fluids include low molecular liquid crystal (LC). In this report, the flow characteristics of LC on one-sided patterned electrodes were confirmed. And next it was also confirmed that such effects have different characteristics depending on pattern type. According to a result of electro-static analysis and Miesowicz viscosity model, we conclude that such difference results from a director of LC molecules derived by electric field.