Biological and soft-matter physics — Special seminar - Joint seminar with the Dept. of Chemistry
Self-organization principles in active matter systems
Prof. Erwin Frey
Ludwig-Maximilians University (LMU) Munich, Germany
Abstract
Active matter systems have emerged as a key paradigm for studying non-equilibrium
systems, offering unique insights into the rich phenomenology of living matter. In
particular, microtubule-motor mixtures and the actin motility assay exemplify how
relatively simple constituents can self-organize into complex structures with novel
phases of matter, such as polar flocks, active foams, and phases exhibiting topological
defects. In this talk, I will review recent advances in understanding the emergence of
these collective phenomena based on agent-based simulations and active field
theories. Additionally, active systems that self-organize through communication
between agents are an area of active research. I will highlight the latest progress in the
field and discuss the significance of these findings for fundamental science and potential
applications in soft robotics.
systems, offering unique insights into the rich phenomenology of living matter. In
particular, microtubule-motor mixtures and the actin motility assay exemplify how
relatively simple constituents can self-organize into complex structures with novel
phases of matter, such as polar flocks, active foams, and phases exhibiting topological
defects. In this talk, I will review recent advances in understanding the emergence of
these collective phenomena based on agent-based simulations and active field
theories. Additionally, active systems that self-organize through communication
between agents are an area of active research. I will highlight the latest progress in the
field and discuss the significance of these findings for fundamental science and potential
applications in soft robotics.