Seminar über aktuelle Fragen zur Dynamik komplexer Fluide: Lattice Boltzmann Simulations of Internal Structure and Flow in Self-Propelling Nematic Droplets

Self-propelling nematic liquid crystal droplets in aqueous surfactant solutions are promising model systems for biological microswimmers. The self-propulsion is induced by a self-sustained gradient in the surfactant coverage of the droplet surface resulting in a Marangoni surface flow. The surface flow propels the droplet and causes in addition a convectional flow inside the droplet which considerably influences the nematic liquid crystal order within the droplet.
Here, we show how lattice Boltzmann simulations can be used to describe the internal structure and flow in self-propelling nematic droplets.