Stabilization of active matter by flow-vortex lattices and defect ordering

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Materials Science
• Soft Matter Physics

Background:

• Active systems are continuously driven out of equilibrium, exhibiting complex behaviors like turbulent and chaotic patterns.
• The distinction between wet active systems (hydrodynamics-dominated) and dry active matter (flow-screened) is crucial for understanding their dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the transition between wet and dry active matter using friction as a control parameter.
• To explore the emergent self-organization phenomena at this wet-dry crossover.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical modeling of active matter systems.
• Numerical simulations to observe system behavior under varying friction conditions.

Main Results:

• Friction was identified as a key parameter to control the crossover between wet and dry active matter.
• Unexpected ordering of vortices into lattices was observed at the wet-dry transition.
• Spatial ordering of topological defects alongside vortex lattices led to active crystal-like structures.

Conclusions:

• The study demonstrates a novel method to tune active matter behavior via friction.
• The emergence of ordered vortex lattices and active crystals suggests new avenues for designing advanced active materials with controlled properties.