Designing highly efficient interlocking interactions in anisotropic active particles

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Materials Science
• Biophysics

Background:

• Cluster formation in microscopic swimmers is vital for processes like biofilm development and nutrient uptake.
• Typically, significant swimmer concentrations are needed for clustering in the absence of other interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how anisotropic swimmer shape influences cluster formation.
• To identify optimal shapes for enhanced self-organization in microswimmer systems.

Main Methods:

• Experimental and numerical analysis of model microswimmers with tunable shapes (spherical to rods).
• Characterization of clustering dynamics using Michaelis-Menten kinetics.
• Analysis of the interplay between interlocking probability and cluster stability.

Main Results:

• Anisotropic shapes, especially bent rods, dramatically enhance cluster formation.
• Clustering dynamics are governed by a single scaling parameter dependent on particle density and shape.
• A semicircle shape was identified as the most efficient for promoting assembly.

Conclusions:

• Swimmer shape is a critical factor for designing out-of-equilibrium self-organization.
• Bent rod shapes facilitate interlocking assembly even at very low particle densities.
• This research offers insights for creating active functional materials through controlled self-assembly.