20.500.12556/DKUM-96764 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 f indings 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 Royal Society of Chemistry Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Znanstveno delo 2026-01-28 04:45:50 2026-01-29 10:35:34 2026-01-30 03:12:03 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2025 0 0 str. 6679-6688 št. 34 Letn. 21 2025 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 2025-07-16 2025-09-14 532.783 243719683 10.1039/d5sm00562k 1744-6848 RAZ_Emersic_Tadej_2025.pdf RAZ_Emersic_Tadej_2025.pdf 1 97728CE347BA4B9ECCF4F8CA3FE2C494 f73ccdaef5c6a4af85cfd6af8fbc760d08fde2245e9d86b4cb085f8e2ee97e03 36be7569-fcf7-11f0-a012-00155d00018d https://dk.um.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=202769 https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/sm/d5sm00562k 1 d7ce37ff-fbfb-11f0-9a72-00155d00018d https://dk.um.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=202655 Fakulteta za naravoslovje in matematiko 0 0 0