Spatiotemporal organization in an active viscoelastic suspension: a dissipative particle dynamics study
Simran Kapoor1, Harinadha Gidituri2, V S Akella1
1Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Jammu, NH-44, Jagti Village, Jammu, J & K, India. sathish.akella@iitjammu.ac.in.
Soft Matter
|January 20, 2026
Summary
This simulation study explores how active particles in viscoelastic fluids self-organize. It reveals two distinct collective dynamics: unidirectional or oscillatory vortices, depending on system parameters.
Area of Science:
- Soft Matter Physics
- Biophysics
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Microorganisms inhabit confined viscoelastic environments.
- These organisms display self-organization and collective dynamics in complex surroundings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To simulate active particle suspensions in viscoelastic fluids under confinement.
- To reproduce experimental observations of motile organisms in viscoelastic media.
Main Methods:
- Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD), a mesoscopic particle-based approach.
- Modeling minimalistic systems to qualitatively reproduce experimental findings.
Main Results:
- Collective dynamics within a suspended drop were mediated by the viscoelastic medium.
- Two steady-state configurations emerged: unidirectional vortex or oscillatory vortex.
- A phase diagram was generated showing configurations based on active agent strength, packing fraction, and polymer concentration.
Conclusions:
- Viscoelastic confinement influences the collective dynamics of active particle suspensions.
- The study provides insights into self-organization mechanisms in biological and synthetic active matter systems.
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