Anomalous Diffusion of Deformable Particles in a Honeycomb Network.

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Complex Systems
• Fluid Dynamics

Background:

• Understanding particle transport in complex networks is crucial for various scientific fields.
• The influence of particle deformability on transport dynamics in ordered structures remains an active area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To numerically investigate the transport of deformable particles within a honeycomb network.
• To elucidate the impact of particle deformability and concentration on transport mechanisms and particle distribution.

Main Methods:

• Numerical simulations were employed to model particle behavior.
• Analysis focused on particle distribution, memory effects at bifurcations, and transport regimes (diffusive, ballistic, superdiffusive).

Main Results:

• Particle deformability strongly influences distribution; soft particles exhibit short memory and diffusive transport.
• Stiff particles display long memory, deterministic partitioning, lateral ballistic drift (low concentration), and anomalous superdiffusion (higher concentration).
• Increased concentration leads to particle-particle interactions, shortening memory effects and shifting anomalous diffusion to classical diffusion.

Conclusions:

• Particle deformability is a key factor governing transport in honeycomb networks.
• A transition from drifting to diffusive regimes is observed, influenced by particle stiffness and concentration.
• The findings suggest that the observed transport transitions are generic for deformable particles in such networks.