We propose a dynamical model for (non-isothermal) phase transitions in liquid crystals. Macroscopic motions of the liquid crystal (LC) are neglected, while the coupling with the electromagnetic field is considered. The LC is described in terms of the classical order tensor Q, which is split as Q=sN, where N is a normalized tensor. Two independent evolution laws are given for s and N. The model includes an evolutive equation for the temperature field obtained from an appropriate form of the energy balance, in which the internal powers associated to the equations for s and N are accounted for. The thermodynamic restrictions in the constitutive relations which ensure the Clausius–Duhem inequality have been pointed out.
A thermodynamic approach to isotropic- nematic phase transitions in liquid crystals.
GRANDI, Diego
2012
Abstract
We propose a dynamical model for (non-isothermal) phase transitions in liquid crystals. Macroscopic motions of the liquid crystal (LC) are neglected, while the coupling with the electromagnetic field is considered. The LC is described in terms of the classical order tensor Q, which is split as Q=sN, where N is a normalized tensor. Two independent evolution laws are given for s and N. The model includes an evolutive equation for the temperature field obtained from an appropriate form of the energy balance, in which the internal powers associated to the equations for s and N are accounted for. The thermodynamic restrictions in the constitutive relations which ensure the Clausius–Duhem inequality have been pointed out.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
