No Arabic abstract
The dynamics of a spherical chemically-powered synthetic colloidal motor that operates by a self-diffusiophoretic mechanism and has a catalytic domain of arbitrary shape is studied using both continuum theory and particle-based simulations. The motor executes active rotational motion when self-generated concentration gradients and interactions between the chemical species and colloidal motor surface break spherical symmetry. Local variations of chemical reaction rates on the motor catalytic surface with catalytic domain sizes and shapes provide such broken symmetry conditions. A continuum theoretical description of the active rotational motion is given, along with the results of particle-based simulations of the active dynamics. From these results a detailed description of the factors responsible for the active rotational dynamics can be given. Since active rotational motion often plays a significant part in the nature of the collective dynamics of many-motor systems and can be used to control motor motion in targeted cargo transport, our results should find applications beyond those considered here.
In this work we study the assisted translocation of a polymer across a membrane nanopore, inside which a molecular motor exerts a force fuelled by the hydrolysis of ATP molecules. In our model the motor switches to its active state for a fixed amount of time, while it waits for an ATP molecule binding and triggering the impulse, during an exponentially distributed time lapse. The polymer is modelled as a beads-springs chain with both excluded volume and bending contributions, and moves in a stochastic three dimensional environment modelled with a Langevin dynamics at fixed temperature. The resulting dynamics shows a Michaelis-Menten translocation velocity that depends on the chain flexibility. The scaling behavior of the mean translocation time with the polymer length for different bending values is also investigated.
Active diffusiophoresis - swimming through interaction with a self-generated, neutral, solute gradient - is a paradigm for autonomous motion at the micrometer scale. We study this propulsion mechanism within a linear response theory. Firstly, we consider several aspects relating to the dynamics of the swimming particle. We extend established analytical formulae to describe small swimmers, which interact with their environment on a finite lengthscale. Solute convection is also taken into account. Modeling of the chemical reaction reveals a coupling between the angular distribution of reactivity on the swimmer and the concentration field. This effect, which we term reaction induced concentration distortion, strongly influences the particle speed. Building on these insights, we employ irreversible, linear thermodynamics to formulate an energy balance. This approach highlights the importance of solute convection for a consistent treatment of the energetics. The efficiency of swimming is calculated numerically and approximated analytically. Finally, we define an efficiency of transport for swimmers which are moving in random directions. It is shown that this efficiency scales as the inverse of the macroscopic distance over which transport is to occur.
We present a generic framework for modelling three-dimensional deformable shells of active matter that captures the orientational dynamics of the active particles and hydrodynamic interactions on the shell and with the surrounding environment. We find that the cross-talk between the self-induced flows of active particles and dynamic reshaping of the shell can result in conformations that are tunable by varying the form and magnitude of active stresses. We further demonstrate and explain how self-induced topological defects in the active layer can direct the morphodynamics of the shell. These findings are relevant to understanding morphological changes during organ development and the design of bio-inspired materials that are capable of self-organisation.
Nonreciprocal effective interaction forces can occur between mesoscopic particles in colloidal suspensions that are driven out of equilibrium. These forces violate Newtons third law actio=reactio on coarse-grained length and time scales. Here we explore the statistical mechanics of Brownian particles with nonreciprocal effective interactions. Our model system is a binary fluid mixture of spherically symmetric, diffusiophoretic mesoscopic particles, and we focus on the time-averaged particle pair- and triplet-correlation functions. Based on the many-body Smoluchowski equation we develop a microscopic statistical theory for the particle correlations and test it by computer simulations. For model systems in two and three spatial dimensions, we show that nonreciprocity induces distinct nonequilibrium pair correlations. Our predictions can be tested in experiments with chemotactic colloidal suspensions.
In this review we discuss recent advances in the self-assembly of self-propelled colloidal particles and highlight some of the most exciting results in this field with a specific focus on dry active matter. We explore this phenomenology through the lens of the complexity of the colloidal building blocks. We begin by considering the behavior of isotropic spherical particles. We then discuss the case of amphiphilic and dipolar Janus particles. Finally, we show how the geometry of the colloids and/or the directionality of their interactions can be used to control the physical properties of the assembled active aggregates, and suggest possible strategies on how to exploit activity as a tunable driving force for self-assembly. The unique properties of active colloids lend promise for the design of the next generation of functional, environment-sensing microstructures able to perform specific tasks in an autonomous and targeted manner.