PSSM Workshop on Liquid Crystals and Colloidal Dispersions
Shape Controlled Colloidal Interactions in Anisotropic Fluids.
Clayton Lapointe, University of Colorado at Boulder
Abstract: Colloidal particles suspended in nematic liquid crystals are known to exhibit highly directional interactions mediated by the elasticity of the liquid crystal. Using lithographically fabricated platelet colloids having equilateral polygonal shapes, we show that colloids with an even number of sides form elastic quadrupoles whereas those with an odd number of sides form elastic dipoles. These qualitatively different interactions lead to self-assembled structures that reflect the shape-dependent symmetries of elastic deformations in the liquid crystal demonstrating that colloidal interactions can be effectively controlled through particle shape. The observed dipolar configuration requires no bulk topological defects indicating that dipole-dipole elastic interactions can be scaled down to sub-micron sizes, which is not possible with spherical inclusions.
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Important Dates
| June 10, 2009: | Final Program |
| June 22, 2009: | PSSM Workshop |
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