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Confined active particles: wall accumulation and correspondence between active and fluid systems
Karel Šindelka1, Anastasia Gadermeteva2, Martin Lísal1,2
1Research Group of Molecular and Mesoscopic Modelling, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, Rozvojová 135/1, Prague, Czech Republic. lisal@icpf.cas.cz.
Soft Matter
|September 15, 2025
Summary
Active Brownian particles (ABPs) confined in slits show propulsion-induced wall accumulation. This behavior depends on particle activity and slit width, offering potential for microfluidic applications.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Soft Matter Physics
- Statistical Mechanics
Background:
- Active Brownian particles (ABPs) are model systems for active matter.
- ABPs exhibit self-propulsion and Brownian motion.
- Confinement influences ABP behavior, leading to wall accumulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate active Brownian particles (ABPs) confined in slit pores.
- To analyze how particle activity and slit width affect wall accumulation.
- To compare confined ABPs with equilibrium fluid particles.
Main Methods:
- Overdamped Langevin dynamics simulations were employed.
- System parameters included particle activity and slit width.
- Both gas and liquid densities were considered.
Main Results:
- Propulsion-induced wall accumulation was observed in confined ABPs.
- Accumulation is sensitive to particle activity and slit geometry.
- A correspondence was found between confined ABPs and wetting equilibrium particles.
Conclusions:
- Confinement significantly alters ABP behavior, promoting wall accumulation.
- The findings have implications for designing microfluidic devices and lab-on-a-chip systems.
- Understanding ABP-wall interactions is crucial for active matter applications.
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