In a numerical study based on a phenomenological description of strongly confined thin layer liquid crystalline blue phase I (BP I), yield several novel structures characterized by specific configurations of topological defect lines. The thickness of the system is of the order of the dimension of the unit cell of the bulk BP I, and the confining surfaces adopts homeotropic anchoring. The structures particularly interesting structure include an array of double-helix disclination lines accompanied by an orthorhombic lattice of double-twist cylinders. Details are in the paper.
COBISS.SI-ID: 2218340
We developed mesoscopic scale model to predict the phase behavior of carbon nanotubes dispersed in thermotropic liquid crystals. We combined the Doi free energy for carbon nanotubes with Landau-de Gennes free energy for a low molar mass nematic liquid crystal. In particular we model the interaction term between carbon nanotubes and liquid crystal molecules. The phase behavior of the binary mixture depending on the volume fraction of nanotubes, the strength of the interaction, and temperature is analyzed in detail. Our theory well reproduces recent experimental measurements in such systems.
COBISS.SI-ID: 17371656
Despite several previously published proposals for artificial cilia, we were the first to successfully produce a working prototype and to prove and measure the pumping of fluid. The measured flow shows a very good agreement with the prediction of the numerical model. Artificial cilia have a high potential for use in microfluidic applications, either as pumps or as mixers. We have published the results in the renowned journal PNAS. Nature Physics reported about them in an editorial (news&views).
COBISS.SI-ID: 23251239
It is shown that Ag defects, embedded into the Cu (111) surface, enable atomic-scale nanostructuring of Co adatoms with improved stability and at higher temperatures, without affecting their electronic and magnetic properties.
COBISS.SI-ID: 23629351
We developed an innovative method for counting nanoparticles in air based on impact of encapsulated nanoparticles into dielectric field of a perforated condensor. The experimental results obtained on the prototype are supported by theoretical simulation.
COBISS.SI-ID: 23475495