Abstract
Two-dimensional flow problems of the Leslie-Ericksen theory for nematic liquid crystals are considered. As a concrete example, inlet flows between parallel plates are calculated using a finite difference method. The calculations are performed at low and intermediate Ericksen numbers for three patterns of surface alignment, and the effects of elasticity and viscosity in the nematic liquid crystals on the development in director orientation and velocity are examined. The validity of the numerical calculation is confirmed by making a comparison between the director orientation in the fully developed region in the present calculation and that obtained from the calculation in unidirectional flow. The director orientation in the inlet flow region depends on the Ericksen number and the surface alignment. Furthermore the velocity profile develops in a different manner from that for Newtonian fluids because of the effect of director orientation.
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