Singularity for a nonlinear degenerate hyperbolic-parabolic coupled system arising from nematic liquid crystals

Abstract This article focuses on the singularity formation of smooth solutions for a one-dimensional nonlinear degenerate hyperbolic-parabolic coupled system originating from the Poiseuille flow of nematic liquid crystals. Without assuming that the wave speed of the hyperbolic equation is a positive function, we show that its smooth solution will break down in finite time even for an arbitrarily small initial energy. Based on an estimate of the solution for the heat equation, we use the method of characteristics to control the wave speed and its derivative so that the wave speed does not degenerate and its derivative does not change sign in a period of time.