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arXiv · 2108.09359

Active Phases for Particles on Resource Landscapes

L. Varga·A. Libal·C. J. O. Reichhardt·C. Reichhardt
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Abstract

We introduce an active matter model composed of sterically interacting particles which absorb resources from a substrate and move in response to resource gradients. For varied ratios of absorption rate to substrate recovery rate, we find a variety of phases including periodic waves, partial clustering, stochastic motion, and a frozen state. If passive particles are added, they can form crystalline clusters in an active fluid. This model could be implemented using colloidal systems on feedback landscapes and can provide a soft matter realization of excitable media and ecological systems.

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L. Varga, A. Libal, C. J. O. Reichhardt, C. Reichhardt. 2021-08-20. Active Phases for Particles on Resource Landscapes. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevresearch.4.013061

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