Topological structure dynamics revealing collective evolution in active nematics

Xia-qing Shi and Yu-qiang Ma ()
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Xia-qing Shi: Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research, Soochow University
Yu-qiang Ma: Center for Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Interdisciplinary Research, Soochow University

Nature Communications, 2013, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Topological defects frequently emerge in active matter like bacterial colonies, cytoskeleton extracts on substrates, self-propelled granular or colloidal layers and so on, but their dynamical properties and the relations to large-scale organization and fluctuations in these active systems are seldom touched. Here we reveal, through a simple model for active nematics using self-driven hard elliptic rods, that the excitation, annihilation and transportation of topological defects differ markedly from those in non-active media. These dynamical processes exhibit strong irreversibility in active nematics in the absence of detailed balance. Moreover, topological defects are the key factors in organizing large-scale dynamic structures and collective flows, resulting in multi-spatial temporal effects. These findings allow us to control the self-organization of active matter through topological structures.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4013

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