Scaling Laws for Passive Polymer Dynamics in Active Turbulence.

Area of Science:

• Soft Matter Physics
• Polymer Physics
• Active Matter Physics

Background:

• Biological systems often integrate active components with passive polymers.
• Understanding these composites requires idealized models like polymers in active fluids.
• Predictive theoretical frameworks are crucial for designing novel materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the behavior of a single passive polymer chain in a 2D active fluid.
• To determine how active flows influence polymer dynamics and diffusivity.
• To establish scaling laws governing polymer diffusivity in active turbulent environments.

Main Methods:

• Computational simulation of a freely jointed passive polymer chain.
• Modeling the polymer within a two-dimensional active turbulence system.
• Analysis of polymer advection by active flows and resulting diffusivity.

Main Results:

• Active flows significantly enhance polymer diffusivity.
• Dimensionless diffusivity follows scaling laws dependent on Péclet, Weissenberg, and Ericksen numbers.
• Polymer behavior differs markedly from nondeformable inclusions.

Conclusions:

• Idealized models are effective for studying active/polymeric composites.
• The identified scaling laws provide a basis for designing active/polymeric hybrid materials.
• Predictable material properties can be achieved by controlling active fluid parameters.