We perform dynamical simulations of a two-dimensional active nematic fluid in coexistence with an isotropic fluid. Drops of active nematic become elongated, and an effective anchoring develops at the nematic-isotropic interface. The activity also causes an undulatory instability of the interface. This results in defects of positive topological charge being ejected into the nematic, leaving the interface with a diffuse negative charge. Quenching the active lyotropic fluid results in a steady state in which phase-separating domains are elongated and then torn apart by active stirring.
@article{arxiv.1407.7493,
title = {Biphasic, Lyotropic, Active Nematics},
author = {Matthew L. Blow and Sumesh P. Thampi and Julia M. Yeomans},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1407.7493},
year = {2014}
}