| Abstract: |
| Nematic complex fluids are interesting for a variety of mechanisms, including self-assembly, activity, topology, and material flow, that can be used to create complex three-dimensional field structures. Here, we present various nematic structures, bulk fields or in combination with colloidal particles, as recently achieved by numerical modelling and in collaborations with experiments that show potential for application in complex optics and photonics. Central to the structures are complex conformations of topological defects, as they can bind, stabilise, or distort the structure. More specifically, we show knotted defects, fractal defect states and design of quasicrystalline symmetry in the structure, all unusual properties with further possible implications or use. More generally, complex soft matter is shown to offer a fascinating testbed and platform for designing and testing of topology-conditioned complex materials. |
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