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Reconfigurable Large‐Scale Pattern Formation Driven by Topological Defect Separation in Liquid Crystals
Author(s) -
Aya Satoshi,
Salamon Peter,
Eber Nandor,
Buka Agnes,
Araoka Fumito
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced materials interfaces
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.671
H-Index - 65
ISSN - 2196-7350
DOI - 10.1002/admi.202000139
Subject(s) - topology (electrical circuits) , topological defect , materials science , field (mathematics) , liquid crystal , scale (ratio) , physics , condensed matter physics , optoelectronics , mathematics , combinatorics , quantum mechanics , pure mathematics
Large‐scale patterning of topological defects is vital and challenging from both fundamental and technological points of view in anisotropic fluids. However, this is usually difficult because of their unfavorably high‐energy states. Here, a simple but general pathway for topology engineering is presented: processing topological defects and shape large‐scale patterns in materials with liquid crystalline nature. Dragging field is created through flowing materials at liquid–liquid crystal phase transition temperature or designing electric‐field driven temperature gradient. The dragging fields coupled to a dense colony of topological defects with random spatial distribution form nontrivial periodic ordered topological patterns that are energetically unfavorable compared to the uniform ground state, but are stable in the stationary state. Topological polymeric films based on the strategy are also fabricated. The dragging speed and surface interactions are found to be dominant factors in generating and stabilizing the patterns. This strategy endows fluids with regular and large‐scale topological patterns, paving a new way for the development of fluids and gels with spatially modulated topological nature.