Work

Self-organized dynamics of a viscous drop with interfacial nematic activity

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We study emergent dynamics in a viscous drop subject to interfacial nematic activity. Using hydrodynamic simulations, we show how the interplay of nematodynamics, activity-driven flows in the fluid bulk, and surface deformations gives rise to a sequence of self-organized behaviors of increasing complexity, from periodic braiding motions of topological defects to chaotic defect dynamics and active turbulence, along with spontaneous shape changes and translation. Our findings recapitulate qualitative features of experiments and shed light on the mechanisms underpinning morphological dynamics in active interfaces.

Source: Physical Review Research

DOI: 10.1103/physrevresearch.7.l012054

Authors: Mohammadhossein Firouznia, David Saintillan

Institutions: University of California San Diego, Flatiron Institute

Language: English

Topic: Micro and Nano Robotics

Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,625

Funder: National Science Foundation