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Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature
Published on: November 26, 2019
Rectification and separation of mixtures of active and passive particles driven by temperature difference
Wei-Jing Zhu1, Teng-Chao Li1, Wei-Rong Zhong2
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Materials, School of Physics and Telecommunication Engineering, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
Abstract:
Transport and separation of binary mixtures of active and passive particles are investigated in the presence of temperature differences. It is found that temperature differences can strongly affect the rectification and separation of the mixtures. For active particles, there exists an optimal temperature difference at which the rectified efficiency is maximal. Passive particles are not propelled and move by collisions with active particles, so the response to temperature differences is more complicated. By changing the system parameters, active particles can change their directions, while passive particles always move in the same direction. The simulation results show that the separation of mixtures is sensitive to the system parameters, such as the angular velocity, the temperature difference, and the polar alignment. The mixed particles can be completely separated under certain conditions.
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