Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: We numerically investigate the steady shear rheology of mixtures of active and passive Brownian particles, with varying fractions of active components. We find that even a small fraction of active dopants triggers fluidization with comparable efficiency to fully active systems. A combined parameter, active energy, given by the dopant fraction multiplied by the propulsion speed squared controls the steady shear rheology and glass transition of the active-passive mixtures. These results together provide a quantitative strategy for fine-tuning the mechanical properties of a soft material with small amounts of active dopants.
Source: Physical Review Letters
DOI: 10.1103/qvr9-rvw4
Authors: Amir Shee, Ritwik Bandyopadhyay, Haicen Yue
Institution: University of Vermont
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4415249729