Upcoming Events
Mathematical Modeling and Numerics for Nematic Liquid Crystals
Sep 18, 2020, 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Virtual Colloquium Link | Meeting number (access code): 954 8656 9124 Meeting password: 862575 |
Date | Friday, September 18, 2020 |
Time | 10:00-11:00 am (Eastern Time) |
Speaker | Prof. Shawn W. Walker |
Affiliation | Louisiana State University |
Title | Mathematical Modeling and Numerics for Nematic Liquid Crystals |
Abstract | I start with an overview of nematic liquid crystals (LCs), including their basic physics, applications, and how they are modeled. In particular, I describe different models, such as Oseen-Frank, Landau-de Gennes, and the Ericksen model, as well as their numerical discretization. In addition, I give the advantages and disadvantages of each model. For the rest of the talk, I will focus on Landau-de Gennes (LdG) and Ericksen. Next, I will highlight parts of the analysis of these models and how it relates to numerical analysis, with specific emphasis on finite element methods (FEMs) to compute energy minimizers; much of this work is joint with various co-authors which I will review. I will illustrate the methods we have developed by presenting numerical simulations in two and three dimensions including non-orientable line fields (LdG model). Finally, I will conclude with some current problems in modeling and simulating LCs and an outlook to future directions. |