Projects per year
Abstract
We introduce a phenomenological theory for a new class of soft active fluids with the ability to synchronize. Our theoretical framework describes the macroscopic behavior of a collection of interacting anisotropic elements with cyclic internal dynamics and a periodic phase variable. This system can (i) spontaneously undergo a transition to a state with macroscopic orientational order, with the elements aligned, a liquid crystal, (ii) attain another broken symmetry state characterized by synchronization of their phase variables, or (iii) a combination of both types of order. We derive the equations describing a spatially homogeneous system and also study the hydrodynamic fluctuations of the soft modes in some of the ordered states. We find that synchronization can promote or inhibit the transition to a state with orientational order, and vice versa. We provide an explicit microscopic realization: a suspension of microswimmers driven by cyclic strokes.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 148104 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 112 |
Issue number | 14 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 11 Apr 2014 |
Research Groups and Themes
- Bristol BioDesign Institute
Keywords
- synthetic biology
- PARADIGM
- MODEL
- ARRAY
- CILIA
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Dive into the research topics of 'Synchronization and liquid crystalline order in soft active fluids'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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NSF MATERIALS WORLD NETWORK: MICROSCOPIC MODELS OF CROSS-LINKED ACTIVE GELS
Liverpool, T. B. (Principal Investigator)
1/03/09 → 1/03/12
Project: Research
Profiles
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Professor Tanniemola B Liverpool
- School of Mathematics - Professor of Theoretical Physics
- Fluids and materials
- Applied Mathematics
Person: Academic , Member, Group lead