No Arabic abstract
Based on the collision rules for hard needles we derive a hydrodynamic equation that determines the coupled translational and rotational dynamics of a tagged thin rod in an ensemble of identical rods. Specifically, based on a Pseudo-Liouville operator for binary collisions between rods, the Mori-Zwanzig projection formalism is used to derive a continued fraction representation for the correlation function of the tagged particles density, specifying its position and orientation. Truncation of the continued fraction gives rise to a generalised Enskog equation, which can be compared to the phenomenological Perrin equation for anisotropic diffusion. Only for sufficiently large density do we observe anisotropic diffusion, as indicated by an anisotropic mean square displacement, growing linearly with time. For lower densities, the Perrin equation is shown to be an insufficient hydrodynamic description for hard needles interacting via binary collisions. We compare our results to simulations and find excellent quantitative agreement for low densities and qualtitative agreement for higher densities.
The equilibrium properties of hard rod monolayers are investigated in a lattice model (where position and orientation of a rod are restricted to discrete values) as well as in an off--lattice model featuring spherocylinders with continuous positional and orientational degrees of freedom. Both models are treated using density functional theory and Monte Carlo simulations. Upon increasing the density of rods in the monolayer, there is a continuous ordering of the rods along the monolayer normal (standing up transition). The continuous transition also persists in the case of an external potential which favors flat--lying rods in the monolayer. This behavior is found in both the lattice and the continuum model. For the lattice model, we find very good agreement between the results from the specific DFT used (lattice fundamental measure theory) and simulations. The properties of lattice fundamental measure theory are further illustrated by the phase diagrams of bulk hard rods in two and three dimensions.
Growth of hard--rod monolayers via deposition is studied in a lattice model using rods with discrete orientations and in a continuum model with hard spherocylinders. The lattice model is treated with kinetic Monte Carlo simulations and dynamic density functional theory while the continuum model is studied by dynamic Monte Carlo simulations equivalent to diffusive dynamics. The evolution of nematic order (excess of upright particles, standing--up transition) is an entropic effect and is mainly governed by the equilibrium solution, {rendering a continuous transition} (paper I, J. Chem. Phys. 145, 074902 (2016)). Strong non--equilibrium effects (e.g. a noticeable dependence on the ratio of rates for translational and rotational moves) are found for attractive substrate potentials favoring lying rods. Results from the lattice and the continuum models agree qualitatively if the relevant characteristic times for diffusion, relaxation of nematic order and deposition are matched properly. Applicability of these monolayer results to multilayer growth is discussed for a continuum--model realization in three dimensions where spherocylinders are deposited continuously onto a substrate via diffusion.
Based on simplifications of previous numerical calculations [Graf and L{o}wen, Phys. Rev. E textbf{59}, 1932 (1999)], we propose algebraic free energy expressions for the smectic-A liquid crystal phase and the crystal phases of hard spherocylinders. Quantitative agreement with simulations is found for the resulting equations of state. The free energy expressions can be used to straightforwardly compute the full phase behavior for all aspect ratios and to provide a suitable benchmark for exploring how attractive interrod interactions mediate the phase stability through perturbation approaches such as free-volume or van der Waals theory.
In recent years, there has been a considerable interest in the mechanics of soft objects meeting fluid interfaces (elasto-capillary interactions). In this work we experimentally examine the case of a fluid resting on a thin film of rigid material which, in turn, is resting on a fluid substrate. To simplify complexity, we adapt the experiment to a one-dimensional geometry and examine the behaviour of polystyrene and polycarbonate films directly with confocal microscopy. We find that the fluid meets the film in a manner consistent with the Young-Dupre equation when the film is thick, but transitions to what appears similar to a Neumann like balance when the thickness is decreased. However, on closer investigation we find that the true contact angle is always given by the Young construction. The apparent paradox is a result of macroscopically measured angles not being directly related to true microscopic contact angles when curvature is present. We model the effect with the Euler-Bernoulli beam on a Winkler foundation as well as with an equivalent energy based capillary model. Notably, the models highlight several important lengthscales and the complex interplay of tension, gravity and bending in the problem.
Non-equilibrium active matter made up of self-driven particles with short-range repulsive interactions is a useful minimal system to study active matter as the system exhibits collective motion and nonequilibrium order-disorder transitions. We studied high-aspect-ratio self-propelled rods over a wide range of packing fraction and driving to determine the nonequilibrium state diagram and dynamic properties. Flocking and nematic-laning states occupy much of the parameter space. In the flocking state the average internal pressure is high and structural and mechanical relaxation times are long, suggesting that rods in flocks are in a translating glassy state despite overall flock motion. In contrast, the nematic-laning state shows fluid-like behavior. The flocking state occupies regions of the state diagram at both low and high packing fraction separated by nematic-laning at low driving and a history-dependent region at higher driving; the nematic-laning state transitions to the flocking state for both compression and expansion. We propose that the laning-flocking transitions are a type of glass transition which, in contrast to other glass-forming systems, can show fluidization as density increases. The fluid internal dynamics and ballistic transport of the nematic-laning state may promote collective dynamics of rod-shaped microorganisms.