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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
08:04
Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature
Published on: November 26, 2019
Transport properties of active particles moving on adjustable networks
William G C Oropesa1,2, Pablo de Castro1,2,3, Hartmut Löwen4
1Instituto de Física Teórica, UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rua Dr Bento T. Ferraz 271, 01140-070, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Soft Matter
|June 17, 2026
Summary
Active particles create trails that block networks, unlike steric interactions. This novel trail-mediated blocking increases particle diffusivity with persistence, offering new insights into active matter dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Active adaptive matter
- Soft matter physics
- Statistical mechanics
Background:
- Active adaptive matter exhibits complex dynamics relevant to synthetic and biological systems.
- A key subclass involves active particles that modify their surrounding network.
- Understanding particle-network interactions is crucial for designing novel materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a minimal model of active particles on an adjustable network.
- To investigate the dynamics and transport properties arising from trail-mediated blocking.
- To compare trail-induced blocking with traditional excluded-volume effects.
Main Methods:
- A discrete run-and-tumble motion model on a triangular lattice.
- Particles leave trails of temporarily blocked links with a characteristic healing time.
- Analysis of diffusivity in the high-persistence limit under different blocking conditions.
Main Results:
- Trail-mediated blocking is fundamentally distinct from excluded-volume effects.
- In contrast to steric blocking, trail-induced blocking increases diffusivity monotonically with persistence.
- Unexpected transport properties emerge when both blocking mechanisms coexist.
Conclusions:
- The model provides a versatile framework for studying active particle-network interactions.
- Trail-mediated blocking offers a novel mechanism for controlling transport in active matter.
- Potential applications in synthetic and biological materials design are discussed.
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