title: Multiscale models of colloidal dispersion of particles in nematic liquid crystals.
abstract: We use homogenization theory to develop a multiscale model of colloidal dispersion of particles in nematic liquid crystals under weak-anchoring conditions. We validate the model by comparing it with simulations by using the Landau-de Gennes free energy and show that the agreement is excellent. We then use the multiscale model to study the effect that particle anisotropy has on the liquid crystal: spherically symmetric particles always reduce the effective elastic constant. Asymmetric particles introduce an effective alignment field that can increase the Fredericks threshold and decrease the switch-off time.
authors.affiliation: Mathematical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: Mathematical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Alessandro
authors.affiliation: Engineering Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Daly