Abstract
A variational principle is proposed that allows to derive the equations of motion for a fluid with a general microstructure described by a tensorial order parameter. The only constitutive ingredients are the densities of the free energy and the dissipation, both subject to appropriate invariance requirements. As an illustration, it is shown how the hydrodynamic theory for uniaxial nematic liquid crystals can be derived within this setting.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 031705-1 |
| Number of pages | 31704 |
| Journal | Physical Review E: Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics |
| Volume | 64 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 27 Aug 2001 |
Keywords
- fluids
- dissipative ordered fluids
- liquid crystals
- mathematics