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Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Matter is all around us; the air, water, soil, mountains, even our bodies are all examples of matter. Matter is divided into three states — solid, liquid, and gas — that are commonly found on earth. The fourth state of matter, plasma, occurs naturally in the interiors of stars. 
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Harnessing Medium Anisotropy To Control Active Matter.

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Active matter, composed of self-propelled agents, exhibits self-organization. Living liquid crystals (LLCs) leverage anisotropic media to control active matter, enabling novel adaptive materials.

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Area of Science:

  • Physics
  • Materials Science
  • Soft Matter Physics

Background:

  • Active matter comprises self-propelled agents that convert environmental energy into motion.
  • Examples include biological organisms and synthetic nanomotors, exhibiting self-organization and unique material properties like self-repair.
  • Active suspensions, a simple form of active matter, show phenomena like reduced viscosity and artificial rheotaxis in isotropic media.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the manipulation and control of active matter within anisotropic suspending media, specifically lyotropic liquid crystals.
  • To introduce and investigate the properties of living liquid crystals (LLCs), a new class of composite materials.
  • To highlight the potential applications of LLCs in creating adaptive, bioinspired materials.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing lyotropic liquid crystals as a structured, anisotropic suspending medium for active matter.
  • Doping liquid crystals with active components to form living liquid crystals (LLCs).
  • Observing and analyzing the collective behaviors and dynamic states within LLCs.

Main Results:

  • Living liquid crystals exhibit highly organized dynamic collective states and spontaneous formation of topological defects.
  • LLCs enable controlled transport of cargo particles and manipulation of microswimmer trajectories.
  • The anisotropy of liquid crystals provides a means to control and manipulate active matter.

Conclusions:

  • Anisotropic liquid crystals offer powerful control over active matter, leading to novel material properties.
  • Living liquid crystals represent a new frontier in soft materials with potential for adaptive and responsive applications.
  • LLCs can be engineered to respond to various physical and chemical stimuli for advanced material design.