Electrorheological effect in the nematic phase of MBBA

Measurements of viscosity in the nematic phase of MBBA are made under an application of an electric field up to 5 kV mm−1. When the electric field is applied, the viscosity in the nematic phase decreases with its amount being saturated at high electric fields. On the basis of the theoretical analysis by Leslie and Ericksen, it is interpreted that the electric field makes the director orient along the flow direction to decrease the viscosity.