Isothermal Hydrodynamics of Biaxial Nematics

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Abstract
Differential equations governing elastic and flow behavior of compressible biaxial nematics are derived using the Ericksen-Leslie approach (ELA). Expressions of the free energy density F, viscous stress [sgrave] 1 ji and flexoelectric polarisation Pi (f) are derived for monoclinic and triclinic nematics using the principal axes approach utilised by Saupe. The expression of [sgrave] 1 ji derived using ELA can be reduced to that derived from Saupe's approach by adopting a procedure which was developed in an earlier communication. For biaxial nematics, the number of elastic constants seems to be the same as the number of viscosity coefficients, in general.