Models of anisotropically polarizable suspensions with irreversible processes: Anisotropy relaxation, dielectrophoresis, and electroviscous flows

We consider media consisting of an anisotropically polarizable particle of a disperse phase and a nonconducting liquid carrier phase. The particles exhibit easy axis or easy plane anisotropy. A complete electrohydrodynamic model describing the motion of the medium in an electric field is constructed with allowance for irreversible processes. The laws determining the polarization of the medium, dielectrophoresis of particles, and anisotropy relaxation are determined. Expressions are derived for the kinetic coefficients appearing in these laws and the expression for the free energy of the medium. The dependence of the effective viscosity on the electric field strength is determined for a flow in narrow channels.