Aggregation of colloidal particles in a non-equilibrium backflow induced by electrically-driven reorientation of the nematic liquid crystal

► Controllable anisotropic assembly of colloidal spheres is achieved in a liquid crystal. ► The spheres interact through dipolar elastic distortions of the medium. ► The aggregates grow parallel and perpendicular to the director. ► The growth is controlled by the applied electric field, backflow, sample thickness. ► Trajectories depend on viscoelastic, dielectrophoretic, electrophoretic, and gravity forces.