Activity-difference-induced spatial demixing and dynamic square lattices in periodically driven binary Quincke colloids
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Binary active systems offer a minimal platform for understanding how component heterogeneity organizes non-equilibrium structures. Here we show that in a binary Quincke system driven by a periodic square-wave electric field, a dynamic square lattice in which small particles occupy the lattice-cell centers which are surrounded by large particles emerges spontaneously. Particle-resolved trajectories reveal that the size separation arises from the mobility difference of large particles and small particles. Increasing the driving frequency reduces the single-cycle path lengths of both species and simultaneously decreases the lattice constant. These results show how size-dependent activity, density redistribution, and periodic forcing cooperate to generate tunable complex active patterns.
Source: Chinese Physics B
Institution: Soochow University
Language: English
Topic: Micro and Nano Robotics
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Awards: G2836476473, G3850725548
OpenAlex ID: W7221047724