Self-propelled particles

Abstract

Ordinary materials are "passive" in the sense that their constituents are typically made by inert particles which are subjected to thermal fluctuations, internal interactions and external fields but do not move on their own. Living systems, like schools of fish, swarms of birds, pedestrians and swimming microbes are called "active matter" since they are composed of self-propelled particles. Active matter is intrinsically in nonequilibrium and exhibits a plethora of novel phenomena as revealed by a recent combined effort of statistical theory, computer simulation and real-space experiments. After an introduction on biological and artificial self-propelled particles [1], the talk will focus on modelling of active Brownian particles and collective phenomena like motility-induced phase separation. Finally effects of inertia and the formation of active complexes will be discussed including an inertial delay [2], the coexistence of two states with different temperatures [3], an active refrigerator [4] and entropons in active crystals [5].[1] For a review, see:  C. Bechinger, R. di Leonardo, H. Löwen, C. Reichhardt, G. Volpe, G. Volpe,Active particles in complex and crowded environments, Reviews of Modern Physics 88, 045006  (2016).[2] C. Scholz, S. Jahanshahi, A. Ldov, H. Löwen, Inertial delay of self-propelled particles, Nature Communications 9, 5156 (1-9) (2018).[3] S. Mandal, B. Liebchen, H. Löwen, Motility-induced temperature differences in coexisting phases, Phys. Rev. Letters 123, 228001 (2019).[4] L. Hecht, S. Mandal, H. Löwen, B. Liebchen, Active refrigerators powered by inertia, Phys. Rev. Letters 129, 178001 (2022).[5] L. Caprini, U. M. B. Marconi, A. Puglisi, H. Löwen, Entropons as collective excitations in active solids, J. Chem. Phys. 159, 041102 (2023).