Mechano-Optical Effects in Liquid Crystals and their Use for Shear Stress Measuring in Aerodynamic Experiment

Abstract

The brief review of the optical properties of low molecular weight thermotropic liquid crystals and the results of their use in aerodynamics as panoramic liquid crystal shear stress sensors are presented. Various approaches to measuring the magnitude and direction of the shear stress vector are analyzed. Examples of panoramic diagnostics of shear stresses on the surfaces of aerodynamic models at various flow rates are given.