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Updated: Feb 8, 2026
07:47
Design and Evaluation of Smart Glasses for Food Intake and Physical Activity Classification
Published on: February 14, 2018
11.9K
A random first-order transition theory for an active glass.
Saroj Kumar Nandi1, Rituparno Mandal2,3, Pranab Jyoti Bhuyan2
1Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel; sarojnandi@gmail.com.
Summary
This study extends the random first-order transition (RFOT) theory to active glasses, revealing how particle activity influences glassiness. The findings clarify contradictory simulation results and offer testable predictions for active matter research.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Statistical Mechanics
- Soft Matter Physics
Background:
- Cellular interiors exhibit near-glassy properties due to biological activity.
- Simulations of active particles yield conflicting results on activity's impact on glass properties like fragility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a theoretical framework for understanding active glasses by extending the random first-order transition (RFOT) theory.
- To reconcile contradictory simulation predictions regarding the influence of activity on glass properties.
Main Methods:
- Extended the random first-order transition (RFOT) theory to dense assemblies of self-propelled particles.
- Computed the active contribution to configurational entropy using an effective single-particle caging model.
- Validated theoretical predictions against existing and new simulation data.
Main Results:
- The extended RFOT theory quantitatively fits existing simulation data for active glasses.
- Self-propulsion force consistently reduces glassiness, while persistence time has a more complex, context-dependent effect.
- The theory resolves apparent contradictions between different simulation models of active glasses.
Conclusions:
- The developed active RFOT theory provides a unified framework for understanding active glasses.
- Activity's influence on glassiness is nuanced, depending on specific parameters like persistence time.
- The study offers testable predictions and advances the analytical treatment of active matter systems.
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