We present a numerical investigation of the coupled flow-structure interaction for nematic liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) using the Doi-Marrucci-Greco model. The model couples the Smoluchowski equation to describe the microstructural, orientation states with the Navier-Stokes equations via a closure approximation. The simulations show the formation of characteristic flow instabilities that lead to roll cells and to orientational defects (disclinations) that are both in qualitative and quantitative agreement with experiments. The three dimensional loop structure of the disclinations observed in experiments is captured for the first time by these numerical simulations.
This is joint work with Harley Klein, Carlos Garcia-Cervera and Gary Leal.