“…16,23,[27][28][29][34][35][36][37]41,42,[45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63] The Landau-de Gennes model, used in this work, based on the order parameters of the mesophase (orientation, molecular order, chirality) is able to describe equilibrium phase transitions, surface wetting and anchoring, flow birefringence and flow induced orientation, defect and pattern formation, electro-magnetic effects, and optical responses, among others. Previous work has demonstrated the benefits of the LdG approach to describe equilibrium and nonequilibrium phenomena in acid Collagen I solutions, biological plywoods, and spider silks.…”