Influence of electric and magnetic fields on liquid crystalline flow

We cause a low-molecular-weight liquid crystal in the nematic phase to flow between parallel plate electrodes at a constant rate. Under electric fields (in the range 0-1.0 kV/mm), magnetic fields (in the range 0.0-2.0 T, where 1 T = 10000 G), and both magnetic and electric fields, we measured changes in liquid crystal flow resistance and orientation. We also estimated the crystal orientation by measuring the brightness of light through the crystal to investigate the relationship between pressure drop and orientation. As results, the pressure drop increases as electric and magnetic field intensities increase, and remains constant at E > 0.6 kV/mm. Under application of an electric field, the brightness of light through the liquid crystal increases with increasing rates of pressure in the range 0-0.4 kV/mm.