Liquid crystal flow: Dynamic and static configurations

We consider a system modeling the flow of nematic liquid crystals with vari able degrees of orientation. Although the set of constitutive equations inv olves many different parameters, the flow behavior is determined mostly by three nondimensional parameters, i.e., the Ericksen number, the Reynolds nu mber, and the interface number. We establish a dissipative relation of the system in general domains. In the case of plane Poiseuille flow, we prove e xistence and regularity of solutions. Moreover, we discuss the stationary c onfigurations with a large number of defects due to the large Ericksen numb er of the flow.