Search results for "Active matter"
showing 10 items of 12 documents
High-order simulation scheme for active particles driven by stress boundary conditions
2020
Abstract We study the dynamics and interactions of elliptic active particles in a two dimensional solvent. The particles are self-propelled through prescribing a fluid stress at one half of the fluid-particle boundary. The fluid is treated explicitly solving the Stokes equation through a discontinuous Galerkin scheme, which allows to simulate strictly incompressible fluids. We present numerical results for a single particle and give an outlook on how to treat suspensions of interacting active particles.
Ideal bulk pressure of active Brownian particles
2016
The extent to which active matter might be described by effective equilibrium concepts like temperature and pressure is currently being discussed intensely. Here, we study the simplest model, an ideal gas of noninteracting active Brownian particles. While the mechanical pressure exerted onto confining walls has been linked to correlations between particles' positions and their orientations, we show that these correlations are entirely controlled by boundary effects. We also consider a definition of local pressure, which describes interparticle forces in terms of momentum exchange between different regions of the system. We present three pieces of analytical evidence which indicate that such…
From scalar to polar active matter: Connecting simulations with mean-field theory
2019
We study numerically the phase behavior of self-propelled elliptical particles interacting through the ``hard'' repulsive Gay-Berne potential at infinite P\'eclet number. Changing a single parameter, the aspect ratio, allows us to continuously go from discoid active Brownian particles to elongated polar rods. Discoids show phase separation, which changes to a cluster state of polar domains, which then form polar bands as the aspect ratio is increased. From the simulations, we identify and extract the two effective parameters entering the mean-field description: the force imbalance coefficient and the effective coupling to the local polarization. These two coefficients are sufficient to obta…
Collective forces in scalar active matter.
2020
Large-scale collective behavior in suspensions of many particles can be understood from the balance of statistical forces emerging beyond the direct microscopic particle interactions. Here we review some aspects of the collective forces that can arise in suspensions of self-propelled active Brownian particles: wall forces under confinement, interfacial forces, and forces on immersed bodies mediated by the suspension. Even for non-aligning active particles, these forces are intimately related to a non-uniform polarization of particle orientations induced by walls and bodies, or inhomogeneous density profiles. We conclude by pointing out future directions and promising areas for the applicati…
Hunting active Brownian particles: Learning optimal behavior
2021
We numerically study active Brownian particles that can respond to environmental cues through a small set of actions (switching their motility and turning left or right with respect to some direction) which are motivated by recent experiments with colloidal self-propelled Janus particles. We employ reinforcement learning to find optimal mappings between the state of particles and these actions. Specifically, we first consider a predator-prey situation in which prey particles try to avoid a predator. Using as reward the squared distance from the predator, we discuss the merits of three state-action sets and show that turning away from the predator is the most successful strategy. We then rem…
Stochastic thermodynamics for active matter
2016
The theoretical understanding of active matter, which is driven out of equilibrium by directed motion, is still fragmental and model oriented. Stochastic thermodynamics, on the other hand, is a comprehensive theoretical framework for driven systems that allows to define fluctuating work and heat. We apply these definitions to active matter, assuming that dissipation can be modelled by effective non-conservative forces. We show that, through the work, conjugate extensive and intensive observables can be defined even in non-equilibrium steady states lacking a free energy. As an illustration, we derive the expressions for the pressure and interfacial tension of active Brownian particles. The l…
Modular approach to microswimming
2018
The field of active matter in general and microswimming in particular has experienced a rapid and ongoing expansion over the last decade. A particular interesting aspect is provided by artificial autonomous microswimmers constructed from individual active and inactive functional components into self-propelling complexes. Such modular microswimmers may exhibit directed motion not seen for each individual component. In this review, we focus on the establishment and recent developments in the modular approach to microswimming. We introduce the bound and dynamic prototypes, show mechanisms and types of modular swimming and discuss approaches to control the direction and speed of modular microsw…
Relaxation in a phase-separating two-dimensional active matter system with alignment interaction
2020
Via computer simulations we study kinetics of pattern formation in a two-dimensional active matter system. Self-propulsion in our model is incorporated via the Vicsek-like activity, i.e., particles have the tendency of aligning their velocities with the average directions of motion of their neighbors. In addition to this dynamic or active interaction, there exists passive inter-particle interaction in the model for which we have chosen the standard Lennard-Jones form. Following quenches of homogeneous configurations to a point deep inside the region of coexistence between high and low density phases, as the systems exhibit formation and evolution of particle-rich clusters, we investigate pr…
Latvian-Brazilian meeting on Active and Soft Matter Physics: Book of Abstracts, Thursday, 3 February 2022, 15:00, Online
2022
This abstract book is made for the Latvian-Brazilian meeting on Active and Soft Matter Physics, held on February 3, 2022. It was organized by the MMML lab (Lab of Magnetic Soft Materials) of the University of Latvia together with the Condensed Matter Physics Group of the Federal University of Ceará (Fortaleza, Brazil) as a part of the 80th International Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia. It includes topical contributions from researchers working on active and soft matter physics at both research groups.
Active colloidal suspensions: Clustering and phase behavior
2014
We review recent experimental, numerical, and analytical results on active suspensions of self-propelled colloidal beads moving in (quasi) two dimensions. Active colloids form part of the larger theme of active matter, which is noted for the emergence of collective dynamic phenomena away from thermal equilibrium. Both in experiments and computer simulations, a separation into dense aggregates, i.e., clusters, and a dilute gas phase has been reported even when attractive interactions and an alignment mechanism are absent. Here, we describe three experimental setups, discuss the different propelling mechanisms, and summarize the evidence for phase separation. We then compare experimental obse…