arXiv subjects

Jakob Metson

Publications and source records attributed to Jakob Metson.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Emergent single-species non-reciprocity from bistable chemical dynamics

The appearance of emergent symmetries in complex systems with components that can form composite units provides us with opportunities for design and control of exotic phase behaviour, for example by exploiting the dynamical symmetry breaking associated with them. We present a novel mechanism for the emergence of non-reciprocal interactions in a single-species suspension of chemically active colloids made out of semi-permeable vesicles, which encapsulate enzymes that catalyze a non-linear chemical reaction. Bistable chemical dynamics enables the colloidal reaction chamber to act as a net producer or consumer of a chemical, depending on the selected values of the chemical concentrations inside and around it. Since the internal chemical state of the colloid depends on the dynamic chemical concentrations rather than the material parameters, two identically produced colloids can present different effective chemical interactions within the same system upon responding to the corresponding gradients via diffusiophoresis. Furthermore, the colloids can spontaneously and reversibly switch between being effective consumers or producers. As a consequence, the colloids can dynamically switch between ignoring, attracting, repelling, and chasing each other, in a non-reciprocal manner. This flexibility can be exploited by manipulation of tuning parameters to induce bifurcations in the chemical dynamics, resulting in a robust control over the interaction motifs, and rich emergent dynamics such as spontaneous many-body polar swarming.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2026

Topological chiral random walker

Understanding how biological and synthetic systems achieve robust function in noisy environments remains a fundamental challenge across the physical and life sciences. To connect robust behavior with non-trivial topological features present already in the dynamics of individual units, here we introduce the topological chiral random walker (TCRW) model. While exploring the system, a TCRW locates edges and boundaries in the system and develops topologically protected edge currents even in the presence of defects and disorder. Drawing on the bulk-boundary correspondence found in hard condensed matter systems allows us to rationalize the emergence of robust edge currents through topological features of the dynamic spectrum. We show that chiral motion and rotational noise with opposite chirality are two crucial components in our inherently non-Hermitian model. As proofs of principle, we first show that a topological walker outperforms diffusive motion to efficiently solve complex mazes due to its property of remaining on the edge with some rare detachments. Second, we use this model to design building blocks that can perform efficient self-assembly overcoming the timescale bottlenecks of diffusion-limited growth and reducing self-assembly times by approximately 80%.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2025

Continuous-time multifarious systems -- Part I: equilibrium multifarious self-assembly

Multifarious assembly models consider multiple structures assembled from a shared set of components, reflecting the efficient usage of components in biological self-assembly. These models are subject to a high-dimensional parameter space, with only a finite region of parameter space giving reliable self-assembly. Here we use a continuous-time Gillespie simulation method to study multifarious self-assembly and find that the region of parameter space in which reliable self-assembly can be achieved is smaller than what was obtained previously using a discrete-time Monte Carlo simulation method. We explain this discrepancy through a detailed analysis of the stability of assembled structures against chimera formation. We find that our continuous-time simulations of multifarious self-assembly can expose this instability in large systems even at moderate simulation times. In contrast, discrete-time simulations are slow to show this instability, particularly for large system sizes. For the remaining state space we find good agreement between the predictions of continuous- and discrete-time simulations. We present physical arguments that can help us predict the state boundaries in the parameter space, and gain a deeper understanding of multifarious self-assembly.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2025

Continuous-time multifarious systems -- Part II: non-reciprocal multifarious self-organization

In the context of self-assembly, where complex structures can be assembled from smaller units, it is desirable to devise strategies towards disassembly and reassembly processes that reuse the constituent parts. A non-reciprocal multifarious self-organization strategy has been recently introduced, and shown to have the capacity to exhibit this complex property. In this work, we study the model using continuous-time Gillespie simulations, and compare the results against discrete-time Monte Carlo simulations investigated previously. Furthermore, using the continuous-time simulations we explore important features in our system, namely, the nucleation time and interface growth velocity, which comprise the timescale of shape-shifting. We develop analytical calculations for the associated timescales and compare the results to those measured in simulations, allowing us to pin down the key mechanisms behind the observed timescales at different parameter values.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2024

Designing complex behaviors using transition-based allosteric self-assembly

Allosteric interactions occur when binding at one part of a complex affects the interactions at another part. Allostery offers a high degree of control in multi-species processes, and these interactions play a crucial role in many biological and synthetic contexts. Leveraging allosteric principles in synthetic systems holds great potential for designing materials and systems that can autonomously adapt, reconfigure, or replicate. In this work we establish a basic allosteric model and develop an intuitive design process, which we demonstrate by constructing systems to exhibit four different complex behaviors: controlled fiber growth, shape-shifting, sorting, and self-replication. In order to verify that the systems evolve according to the pathways we have developed, we also calculate and measure key length and time scales. Our findings demonstrate that with minimal interaction rules, allosteric systems can be engineered to achieve sophisticated emergent behaviors, opening new avenues for the design of responsive and adaptive materials.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2023

Escaping kinetic traps using non-reciprocal interactions

Kinetic traps are a notorious problem in equilibrium statistical mechanics, where temperature quenches ultimately fail to bring the system to low energy configurations. Using multifarious self-assembly as a model system, we introduce a mechanism to escape kinetic traps by utilizing non-reciprocal interactions between components. Introducing non-equilibrium effects offered by broken action-reaction symmetry in the system, we can push the trajectory of the system out of arrested dynamics. The dynamics of the model is studied using tools from the physics of interfaces and defects. Our proposal can find applications in self-assembly, glassy systems and systems with arrested dynamics.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗