arXiv subjects

Mingcheng Yang

Publications and source records attributed to Mingcheng Yang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Viscoelasticity reshapes the frequency response of a rotating magnetic particle

A magnetic particle driven by a rotating magnetic field undergoes a transition from synchronous to asynchronous rotation at a critical driving frequency. The asynchronous dynamics is well understood in Newtonian fluids but remains unclear in viscoelastic media. Here, we develop a theoretical description of the asynchronous rotation of a magnetic particle in a Jeffreys-type viscoelastic fluid. The particle's time-averaged angular velocity exhibits a nontrivial frequency dependence that changes from non-monotonic to monotonic as the polymer relaxation time increases. This behavior is explained by the interplay among magnetic driving, viscoelastic relaxation, and frequency-dependent viscous dissipation. We further derive an asymptotic expression that captures the non-monotonic dependence. These results clarify how solvent and polymer contributions jointly control asynchronous rotation and provide a physical basis for guiding relevant applications in complex fluids.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2026

Heat and mass transport in a three-dimensional mesoscale odd fluid

Fluids with nonvanishing antisymmetric components of the transport coefficient tensor are named odd fluids. In our previous works, we proposed a mesoscale simulation model for isotropic two-dimensional odd fluids and then extended it to the three-dimensional case to model an anisotropic odd fluid with cylindrical symmetry. The Navier-Stokes equation and the viscosity tensor of this three-dimensional mesoscale odd fluid were derived previously via a kinetic theory. Herein, we derive the heat conduction and self-diffusion equations, along with the corresponding thermal conductivity and self-diffusivity tensors. These theoretical results are validated by simulations. We further investigate heat and mass transport behaviors of three-dimensional odd fluids in a confined geometry through our mesoscale model. In striking contrast to normal isotropic fluids, the steady-state temperature and density distributions of confined odd fluids are significantly deformed by the odd transport coefficients.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2026

Colloidal phoresis in two-dimensional odd fluids

Under a thermodynamic gradient, for example, the concentration or temperature gradients, the colloidal particles immersed in the solvent can exhibit a directional migration along or against the gradient---phoresis, a cross transport effect. When the solvent is an odd fluid, where the time-reversal and parity symmetries are broken microscopically, the odd transport phenomenon is allowed. This means an odd phoresis may appear: the colloidal particle migrates perpendicularly to the thermodynamic gradient. Here, we realize the odd diffusiophoresis and odd thermophoresis for a colloidal particle immersed in a two-dimensional odd fluid by performing mesoscale fluid simulations. We quantify the odd phoretic factors and further provide the phoresis-osmotic flow field driven by a phoretic colloidal particle, which is quantitatively consistent with the numerical solutions of the corresponding odd fluid dynamics equations.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2026

Synchronization and phase transition of two-dimensional self-rotating clock models

We explore possible synchronization in two-dimensional (2D) locally coupled discrete-state oscillators under thermal fluctuations, using the self-rotating $q$-state clock model as a prototype. Large-scale Monte Carlo simulations reveal that for $q \ge q_c$ (with $q_c = 5$), the system undergoes two-step Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT)-like transitions: first from a disordered phase to a critical synchronized phase, and then to a spatiotemporal pattern phase. Notably, the synchronized phase features algebraically decaying spatial correlations and divergent coherence time, realizing an effective continuous time crystal across macroscopic yet finite scales; while it vanishes when $q < q_c$. A dynamic renormalization group analysis shows this behavior arises from an emergent U(1) symmetry for $q \ge q^{RG}_c=5$, and indicates a crossover scale to Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) universality diverges double-exponentially with $q$, ensuring the pre-asymptotic stability of the synchronized phase. Mean-field theory predicts a lower critical value $q_c^{MF} = 4$.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2025

Mesoscale model of a three-dimensional odd fluid

Odd fluids are a class of fluids characterized by non-zero antisymmetric transport coefficient tensors induced by broken time-reversal symmetry. In our previous work, a mesoscale simulation model for two-dimensional isotropic odd fluids was developed. Here, we extend the model to the three-dimensional case that corresponds to an anisotropic odd fluid with cylindrical symmetry. Using kinetic theory, we analytically derive the viscosity tensor and Navier-Stokes equation for the three-dimensional mesoscale odd fluid, which are quantitatively verified by simulations. Furthermore, through both simulation and hydrodynamic theory, we demonstrate that the planar Poiseuille flow of the three-dimensional odd fluid exhibits exotic transport behavior. This work thus paves the way for performing large-scale simulations to explore and exploit intriguing phenomena of odd fluids.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2025

Interfacial Stability in Tensionless Phase-Separated Quorum-Sensing Systems

Interfacial phenomena of motility-induced phase separation of active particles challenge our conventional understanding of phase coexistence. Despite the ubiquity of nonmechanical communication couplings among real active particles, most works on active interface have concentrated on active Brownian systems with steric interparticle interactions. Here, we study the interfacial behavior of phase-separated active particles interacting solely via quorum-sensing communications using both theory and simulations. Strikingly, we find that the quorum-sensing active system exhibits vanishing mechanical surface tension but nonzero effective capillary surface tension. We further demonstrate that the mechanical equilibrium of the tensionless interface is sustained by polarization force at the interface; while its dynamics is governed by the surface stiffness, which arises from tangential particle flux induced by local interfacial deformation. Our work reveals the fundamental distinction between mechanical and capillary surface tensions in active matter and paves the way for future exploration of active interface phenomena.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2025

Intrinsic pressure as a convenient mechanical framework for dry active matter

The identification of local pressure in active matter systems remains a subject of considerable debate. Through theoretical calculations and extensive simulations of various active systems, we demonstrate that intrinsic pressure (defined in the same way as in passive systems) is an ideal candidate for local pressure of dry active matter, while the self-propelling forces on the active particles are considered as effective external forces originating from the environment. Such a framework is universal and especially convenient for analyzing mechanics of dry active systems, and it recovers the conventional scenario of mechanical equilibrium well-known in passive systems. Thus, our work is of fundamental importance to further explore mechanics and thermodynamics of complex active systems.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2025

Active Hyperuniform Networks of Chiral Magnetic Micro-Robotic Spinners

Disorder hyperuniform (DHU) systems possess a hidden long-range order manifested as the complete suppression of normalized large-scale density fluctuations like crystals, which endows them with many unique properties. Here, we demonstrate a new organization mechanism for achieving stable DHU structures in active-particle systems via investigating the self-assembly of robotic spinners with three-fold symmetric magnetic binding sites up to a heretofore experimentally unattained system size, i.e., with $\sim 1000$ robots. The spinners can self-organize into a wide spectrum of actively rotating three-coordinated network structures, among which a set of stable DHU networks robustly emerge. These DHU networks are topological transformations of a honeycomb network by continuously introducing the Stone-Wales defects, which are resulted from the competition between tunable magnetic binding and local twist due to active rotation of the robots. Our results reveal novel mechanisms for emergent DHU states in active systems and achieving novel DHU materials with desirable properties.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2025

A universal scaling law for active diffusion in complex media

Using granular experiments and computer simulations, we investigate the long-time diffusion of active tracers in a broad class of complex media composed of frozen obstacles of diverse structures. By introducing a dimensionless persistence length $Q = v_d \tau_r / d_t$, we propose a modified scaling relation that independently collapses experimental and simulation results across active and passive particles, diverse media, and distinct propulsion mechanisms. Our results reveal a universal active diffusion-structure relation that holds across both equilibrium and nonequilibrium regimes, providing a simple predictive framework for active diffusion in complex environments.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2025

Hyperuniform Mixing of Binary Active Spinners

Spinner mixtures consisting of both clockwise and counterclockwise self-spinning particles are often expected to phase separate. However, we demonstrate that such a demixing is absent for dimer (or rod-like) spinners. These particles always mix, even in a globally-hyperuniform way, with the total structure factor $S(q\to 0)\sim q^{\alpha}\,(\alpha>0)$. This global hyperuniformity can be enhanced or weakened by changes in the driving torques or the particle density in various ways. The corresponding microscopic mechanism is attributed to the competition between a dynamical heterocoordination effect and effective like-particle attractions. Critical scaling for the absorbing state transition of the system is also found to persist, with a significant shift in its critical point observed. The system can be further thermalized, by the driving torques or through thermostating, into an ideal solution with identical partial radial distribution functions, which denys the possibility of being multi-hyperuniform. A simply-extented coupled density-oscillator theory explains why the system can not be multi-hyperuniform, but can have a global hyperuniformity with the scaling exponent $\alpha$ approaching $2$. Such a hyperuniform mixing provides a way to regulate the topological boundary flows of this chiral system, and this mixing regulation is found to barely affect the bulk density fluctuations and even preserve the localization of the flows and the bulk hyperuniformity.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2024

Mesoscale simulation model for odd fluids

A fluid, with broken time-reversal symmetry, would exhibit odd transport coefficients, such as odd viscosity, thermal conductivity and diffusion coefficient, which may fundamentally alter the fluid properties and significantly influence the structure and dynamics of immersed objects. Here, we develop an efficient coarse-grained simulation approach for the odd fluid, that captures all essential features of real odd fluids. Based on microscopic kinetic theory, we analytically derive the transport coefficients of the mesoscale odd fluid. Furthermore, we validate our approach by performing both simulations and theoretical calculations to explore the intricate transport phenomena of the odd fluid under various external drivings. Our work thus paves the way for studying anomalous transport in odd fluids and for large-scale simulations of odd complex fluids.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2023

Biomimetic Synchronization in biciliated robots

Direct mechanical coupling is known to be critical for establishing synchronization among cilia. However, the actual role of the connections is still elusive - partly because controlled experiments in live samples are challenging. Here, we employ an artificial ciliary system to address this issue. Two cilia are formed by chains of self-propelling robots and anchored to a shared base so that they are purely mechanically-coupled. The system mimics biological ciliary beating but allows fine control over the beating dynamics. We find that the artificial cilia exhibit rich motion behaviors, depending on the mechanical coupling scheme. Particularly, their synchronous beating display two distinct modes - analogous to those observed in C. reinhardtii, the biciliated model organism for studying synchronization. Close examination suggests that the system evolves towards the most dissipative mode. Using this guideline in both simulations and experiments, we are able to direct the system into a desired state by altering the modes' respective dissipation. Our results have significant implications in understanding the synchronization of cilia.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2023

Revisiting fluid-wall interfacial tension

A fluid in contact with a flat structureless wall constitutes the simplest interface system, but the fluid-wall interfacial tension cannot be trivially and even unequivocally determined due to the ambiguity in identifying the precise location of fluid-wall dividing surface. To resolve this long-standing problem, we here derive the interfacial tension from two independent routes without needing the identification of dividing surface. The first one exploits a natural idea that the interfacial profiles of intensive quantities should remain perfectly invariant when deforming the fluid-wall system just to change its interface area. The second one considers the fluid-wall system as the limit of a fluid under a finite external potential field. By calculating the work required to create a differential interface area, the two methods yield exactly the same interfacial tension. Thus, our work provides strong evidence that the fluid-wall interfacial tension can be unambiguously quantified.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2023

Surface Tension Between Coexisting Phases of Active Brownian Particles

The confliction between the stable interface in phase-separated active Brownian particles and its negative surface tension, obtained mechanically via the active pressure, has sparked considerable debate about the formula of active surface tension. Based on the intrinsic pressure of active system, we here derive a new mechanical expression of active surface tension by calculating the work required to create a differential interface area, while remaining the interfacial profiles of intensive quantities invariant (not considered previously). Our expression yields a significantly positive surface tension that increases with the particle activity, which is further supported by mechanical stability analysis of both steady-state droplet and fluctuating interface. Our work is thus promising to resolve the contradiction related to active surface tension.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2022

Odd Viscosity in Chiral Passive Suspensions

Prior studies have revealed that nonzero odd viscosity is an essential property for chiral active fluids. Here we report that such an odd viscosity also exists in suspensions of non-active or non-externally-driven but chirally-shaped particles. Computational simulations are carried out for monolayers of dense ratchets in simple shear and planar extensional flows. The contact between two ratchets can be either frictionless or infinitely-frictional, depending on their teeth and sliding directions at the contact point. Our results show that the ratchet suspension has the intermediate shear/extensional viscosity as compared with the suspensions of smooth and gear-like particles. Meanwhile, the ratchet suspensions show nonzero even and odd components of the first normal stress coefficient, which indicates the mixed feature of conventional complex fluids and chiral viscous fluids.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2022

Local Rotational Jamming and Multi-Scale Hyperuniformities in an Active Spinner System

An active system consisting of many self-spinning dimers is simulated, and a distinct local rotational jamming transition is observed as the density increases. In the low density regime, the system stays in an absorbing state, in which each dimer rotates independently subject to the applied torque. While in the high density regime, a fraction of the dimers become rotationally jammed into local clusters, and the system exhibits spinodal-decomposition like two-phase morphologies. For high enough densities, the system becomes completely jammed in both rotational and translational degrees of freedom. Such a simple system is found to exhibit rich and multiscale disordered hyperuniformities among the above phases: the absorbing state shows a critical hyperuniformity of the strongest class and subcritically preserves the vanishing density-fluctuation scaling up to some length scale; the locally-jammed state shows a two-phase hyperuniformity conversely beyond some length scale with respect to the phase cluster sizes; the totally jammed state appears to be a monomer crystal, but intrinsically loses large-scale hyperuniformity. These results are inspiring for designing novel phase-separation and disordered hyperuniform systems through dynamical organization.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2022

Emergent Stripes of Active Rotors in Shear Flows

The shear-induced self-organization of active rotors into stripy aggregates is studied by carrying out computational simulations. The rotors, modeled by monolayers of frictional spheres, develop to stripy microstructures only when they counterrotate with respect to the vorticity of the imposed shear flow. The average width of the stripes is demonstrated to be linearly dependent on the relative intensity of active torque to the shear rate. By giving insight into three collective particle behaviors, i.e., shear-induced diffusion, rotation-induced rearrangement, and edge flows, we explain the mechanisms of formation of the particle stripes. Additionally, the rheological result shows the dependence of shear and rotational viscosities on the active torque direction and the oddness of the normal stress response. By exhibiting a collective phenomenon of active rotors, our study paves the way to understanding chiral active matter.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2020

Dynamic assembly of active colloids: theory and simulation

Because of consuming energy to drive their motion, systems of active colloids are intrinsically out of equilibrium. In the past decade, a variety of intriguing dynamic patterns have been observed in systems of active colloids, and they offer a new platform for studying non-equilibrium physics, in which computer simulation and analytical theory have played an important role. Here we review the recent progress in understanding the dynamic assembly of active colloids by using numerical and analytical tools. We review the progress in understanding the motility induced phase separation in the past decade, followed by the discussion on the effect of shape anisotropy and hydrodynamics on the dynamic assembly of active colloids.

cond-mat.soft↗