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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature

Published on: November 26, 2019

Frozen steady states in active systems.

Volker Schaller¹, Christoph A Weber, Benjamin Hammerich

¹Lehrstuhl für Biophysik-E27, Technische Universität München, 84748 Garching, Germany.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

|November 16, 2011

Summary

Active matter can surprisingly enter quiescent states. This study shows frozen states emerge in active systems when active transport couples with growth processes.

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Area of Science:

Physics
Biophysics
Soft Matter Physics

Background:

Active matter systems, despite energy input, can exhibit complex phenomena.
Quiescent or absorbing states with frozen fluctuations are paradoxical in active systems.
Previous studies focused on externally driven systems; inherently active systems remain under-investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the emergence of frozen steady states in inherently active systems.
To understand the mechanisms behind pattern formation in active matter.
To explore the role of coupled active transport and growth.

Main Methods:

High-density motility assay experiments.
Agent-based simulations.
Analysis of self-organization, growth, and mechanical properties.

Main Results:

Demonstrated the occurrence of frozen steady states in active systems.
Identified the coupling between active transport and growth as crucial for frozen states.
Revealed that self-organization, growth, and mechanical properties drive pattern formation.

Conclusions:

Frozen steady states are achievable in inherently active systems.
The interplay between active transport and growth is key to emergent quiescence.
Self-organization, growth, and mechanics collectively govern pattern formation in active matter.