Quasi-periodic bifurcations of invariant circles in low-dimensional dissipative dynamical systems

This paper first summarizes the theory of quasi-periodic bifurcations for dissipative dynamical systems. Then it presents algorithms for the computation and continuation of invariant circles and of their bifurcations. Finally several applications are given for quasiperiodic bifurcations of Hopf, saddle-node and period-doubling type.     

Glassy photomechanical liquid-crystal network actuators for microscale devices

In light-driven liquid-crystal network (LCN) actuators, large performance improvements are obtained by varying the orientation of the molecular director through the thickness of the film actuator. Experiments show that sub-millimeter bending radii are achieved using a splayed molecular orientation. Systems with a splayed or twisted nematic (TN) director profile drive greater amplitude and faster bending than uniaxial planar systems with the same chemical composition. The bending radii of these systems are predicted using a simple model including effects of light intensity, material composition and actuator thickness. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material in form of video file available from the Journal web page at and are accessible for authorised users.     

Artificial cilia for active micro-fluidic mixing

In lab-on-chip devices, on which complete (bio-)chemical analysis laboratories are miniaturized and integrated, it is essential to manipulate fluids in sub-millimetre channels and sub-microlitre chambers. A special challenge in these small micro-fluidic systems is to create good mixing flows, since it is almost impossible to generate turbulence. We propose an active micro-fluidic mixing concept inspired by nature, namely by micro-organisms that swim through a liquid by oscillating microscopic hairs, cilia, that cover their surface. We have fabricated artificial cilia consisting of electro-statically actuated polymer structures, and have integrated these in a micro-fluidic channel. Flow visualization experiments show that the cilia can generate substantial fluid velocities, up to 0.6 mm s(-1). In addition, very efficient mixing is obtained using specially designed geometrical cilia configurations in a micro-channel. Since the artificial cilia can be actively controlled using electrical signals, they have exciting applications in micro-fluidic devices.     

Off-planar geometry and structural instability of EDO-TTF explained by using the extended debye polarizability model for bond angles

The geometry of ethylenedioxy-tetrathiafulvalene, EDO-TTF, plays an important role in the metal-insulator transition in the charge transfer salt (EDO-TTF)(2)PF(6). The planar and off-planar geometrical conformations of the EDO-TTF molecules are explained using an extended Debye polarizability model for the bond angle. The geometrical structure of EDO-TTF is dictated by its four sulfur bond angles and these are, in turn, determined by the polarizability of the sulfur atoms. With Hartree-Fock and second-order M?ller-Plesset perturbation theory calculations on EDO-TTF, TTF, H(2)S, and their oxygen and selenium substituted counterparts we confirm this hypothesis. The Debye polarizability model for bond angles relates directly the optimum bond angle with the polarizability of the center atom. Considering the (EDO-TTF)(2)PF(6) material in this light proves to be very fruitful.     

Resonance and Fractal Geometry

The phenomenon of resonance will be dealt with from the viewpoint of dynamical systems depending on parameters and their bifurcations. Resonance phenomena are associated to open subsets in the parameter space, while their complement corresponds to quasi-periodicity and chaos. The latter phenomena occur for parameter values in fractal sets of positive measure. We describe a universal phenomenon that plays an important role in modelling. This paper gives a summary of the background theory, veined by examples.     

New functional polymers for liquid crystal displays review of some recent developments

Polymeric materials play an important role in the construction and performance of liquid crystal displays. New functional polymers are developed to improve the displays on brightness, power efficiency and viewing angle performance. Polymer films with a controlled molecular structure and architecture provide new polarization optics to convert non‐polarized light into polarized light with higher efficiency than the traditional polarizers based on stretched iodine doped poly(vinyl alcohol). Other films provide a polarization compensation function to maintain an angular invariant net optical retardation of the display device and therewith a better contrast to wider viewing angles. Color generation by non‐absorbing methods is believed to improve on the display brightness. Special control of the liquid crystal alignment by photo‐sensitive orientation layers, polymer protrusions or photo‐formed polymer walls provide multiple director patterns within a single pixel to average out angular LC effects.