Viscosity Measurements for the Nematic Liquid Crystal PAA

Abstract
An oscillating plate viscometer was used to measure the viscosities of PAA with the molecular axis oriented by an electromagnet. The experimental apparatus allowed measurement when the magnet was oriented in the three principal directions as well as angles in between. This permitted measurement of four independent viscosity coefficients, including μ1 If the Parodi relation is assumed and a value of the twist viscosity is taken from other measurements, all the coefficients in the Leslie-Ericksen theory are available. The measurements are compared to those of Miesowicz1 and the Orsay Liquid Crystal Group.2