20.500.12556/RUL-178387 Microchannel geometry effects on nematic dowser domain dynamics Understanding the dynamics of topological defects in liquid crystals is essential for optimizing their performance in adaptive optics, responsive surfaces, and advanced display technologies. Here, we investigate the dynamics of disclination loops enclosing an escaped structure in a nematic liquid crystal, known as dowser domains, within microfluidic channels of various geometries. Through a combination of experiments and numerical simulations, we demonstrate that fluid flow, dictated by the channel geometry alone, governs the dynamics, shape, and size of these domains. We find that channel constrictions extend the lifetime of dowser domains by accelerating their growth, while channel expansions slow down their dynamics and shorten their lifetime. In addition, manipulating the flow paths of dowser domains through serpentine microchannels can further influence their shape and lifespan. We also demonstrate domain splitting in a T-junction microchannel. These findings pave the way for the design of hierarchical networks that can manipulate dowser domains in high-throughput parallel channel systems. Taken together, the results presented here improve our understanding of defect loop dynamics in soft materials and advance the development of flow-based liquid crystal devices and applications. topological defects liquid crystals topološki defekti tekoči kristali true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Članek v reviji 2026-01-26 12:35:35 2026-01-26 12:35:38 2026-01-27 04:23:10 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2025 0 0 Str. 6679–6688 iss. 34 Vol. 21 2025 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 532.783 1744-6848 10.1039/D5SM00562K 243719683 d5sm00562k.pdf d5sm00562k.pdf 1 CA122C168C2096D1CC039B97134B3002 cb9ace9f0d5521c3f51f0f58456cf95bfe666f13e60d760682548d2219f62c3b 974c7a20-faab-11f0-a1ba-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=226186 https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/sm/d5sm00562k 1 216505a0-faab-11f0-a1ba-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=226185 Fakulteta za matematiko in fiziko Medicinska fakulteta 0 0 0