Soft Elasticity in Nematic Liquid-Crystal Networks

TL;DR

This paper introduces a phase field model for hexagonal nematic liquid-crystal networks, revealing their soft shear deformations and complex elastic behaviors through analytical predictions and numerical simulations.

Contribution

It presents a novel phase field model capturing the nonlinear elasticity and defect dynamics of nematic liquid-crystal networks.

Findings

Hexagonal networks exhibit soft shear deformations.

Elastic properties are analytically predicted and numerically confirmed.

The model includes non-linear elasticity and defect structures.

Abstract

Liquid-crystal networks consist of weakly crosslinked polymers that are coupled to liquid-crystal molecules. The resultant hybrid system has rich elastic properties. We develop a phase field model to describe mechanical properties of a hexagonal liquid-crystal network. The hexagonal liquid-crystal network is found to have soft shear deformations. The elastic properties are predicted analytically and confirmed with numerical simulations. In addition the model incorporates non-linear elasticity and dislocations or disclinations.