Periodic forcing in viscous fingering of a nematic liquid crystal

We study viscous fingering of an air-nematic interface in a radial Hele-Shaw cell when periodically switching on and off an electric field, which reorients the nematic and thus changes its viscosity, as well as the surface tension and its anisotropy (mainly enforced by a single groove in the cell). We observe undulations at the sides of the fingers which correlate with the switching frequency and with tip oscillations which give maximal velocity to smallest curvatures. These lateral undulations appear to be decoupled from spontaneous (noise-induced) side branching. We conclude that the lateral undulations are generated by successive relaxations between two limiting finger widths. The change between these two selected pattern scales is mainly due to the change in the anisotropy. This scenario is confirmed by numerical simulations in the channel geometry, using a phase-field model for anisotropic viscous fingering.Comment: completely rewritten version, more clear exposition of results (14 pages in Revtex + 7 eps figures

High concentration ferronematics in low magnetic fields

We investigated experimentally the magneto-optical and dielectric properties of magnetic-nanoparticle-doped nematic liquid crystals (ferronematics). Our studies focus on the effect of the very small orienting bias magnetic field $B_{bias}$, and that of the nematic director pretilt at the boundary surfaces in our systems sensitive to low magnetic fields. Based on the results we assert that $B_{bias}$ is not necessarily required for a detectable response to low magnetic fields, and that the initial pretilt, as well as the aggregation of the nanoparticles play an important (though not yet explored enough) role.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure

Újabb szenzációs őslénytani leletek a pulai alginitbányából = Further remarkable palaeontological finds at the alginite quarry in Pula

Remains of a volcanic crater from the Pliocene (4 million years ago), fi lled with alginite,were discovered near the village of Pula, Veszprém County, in 1973. Paleontological research begun at the Pula alginite mine in 2003 has yielded several hundred specimens for the collections at the Bakony Museum of the Hungarian Natural History Museum. The latest collections have yielded large numbers of insects (mayfl y larvae, dragonfl ies, bugs, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, fl ies, wasps, beetles, etc.) and specimens of moss. Many of the specimens are from extant genera and the species can be identifi ed in some cases. Specimens of two groups of such insect fossils have presentday relatives in the Mediterranean basin (Isoptera; Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae: Dicladispa). The aquatic and shoreline fauna of the lake must have been extremely diverse. The climate in the area was warmer than today. With 18 figures

Light-induced instabilities in photo-oriented liquid crystal cells

In a planar liquid crystal sample sandwiched between a photosensitive and a reference plate instabilities occurred, when the cell was illuminated from the reference side. The instabilities were induced both by polarized white light source and monochromatic laser beams. Static and dynamic regimes were found; for laser irradiation dynamic instability was found only in a range of polarization directions. A model, developed for monochromatic excitation, predicts that at certain thicknesses dynamic instability is forbidden. Experiments on a wedge-like cell confirmed this conclusion.Comment: to appear in Mol. Cryst. Liq. Crys

Surface effects in nucleation and growth of smectic B crystals in thin samples

We present an experimental study of the surface effects (interactions with the container walls) during the nucleation and growth of smectic B crystals from the nematic in free growth and directional solidification of a mesogenic molecule ($C_4H_9-(C_6H_{10})_2CN$) called CCH4 in thin (of thickness in the 10 $\mu$m range) samples. We follow the dynamics of the system in real time with a polarizing microscope. The inner surfaces of the glass-plate samples are coated with polymeric films, either rubbed polyimid (PI) films or monooriented poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) films deposited by friction at high temperature. The orientation of the nematic and the smectic B is planar. In PI-coated samples, the orientation effect of SmB crystals is mediated by the nematic, whereas, in PTFE-coated samples, it results from a homoepitaxy phenomenon occurring for two degenerate orientations. A recrystallization phenomenon partly destroys the initial distribution of crystal orientations. In directional solidification of polycrystals in PTFE-coated samples, a particular dynamics of faceted grain boundary grooves is at the origin of a dynamical mechanism of grain selection. Surface effects also are responsible for the nucleation of misoriented terraces on facets and the generation of lattice defects in the solid.Comment: 15 pages, 24 figures, submitted to PR

An improved female-targeted semiochemical lure for the European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn.

The addition of synthetic 4-methoxy-2-phenethyl alcohol to the known attractant phenylacetaldehyde synergized attraction of the European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis, the blend invariably catching 3 to 5 times more than phenylacetaldehyde on its own. Highest catches were recorded by the 1:1 blend. Both females and males were attracted, supposedly in the natural sex ratio of the local population. This improved bisex O. nubilalis attractant could be more efficient and more suitable for detection and monitoring purposes than previously know lures, making possible to draw more reliable plant protection decisions

Preliminary finite element analysis of the stainless-steel liner of the maintainable test cell concept of IFMIF-DONES

The main purpose of IFMIF-DONES facility is to provide a neutron source for irradiating small specimens and producing experimental data of material properties for the construction of DEMO fusion power plant. The Test Cell (TC) of the DONES is a confined and well-shielded room, where the strong irradiation environment is created. The biological shielding of the TC mainly consists of several meters thick concrete walls and shielding plugs, and a stainless-steel liner. The TC liner and the concrete walls are actively cooled by water because of the high volumetric heating coming from nuclear reactions. Although, the TC is designed to be fully functional for the complete life span of the facility, still there is a very low probability of defect of the TC biological shielding due to their exposure of intense neutron and gamma irradiation. Therefore, the original TC configuration, which was a monolithic approach, had to be revised. Due to this reason, at the end of 2019 the project team has changed the TC concept from the monolithic design to the so-called Maintainable TC Concept (MTCC) design, which allows a maintenance possibility in case of unexpected damage