Regensburg 2022 – scientific programme

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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 47: Active Matter 5 (joint session DY/BP/CPP)

CPP 47.11: Talk

Friday, September 9, 2022, 12:30–12:45, H18

Engines driven by active fields — •Patrick Pietzonka¹ and Michael E. Cates² — ¹Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, Germany — ²Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

On macroscopic scales, where trajectories of individual particles cannot be observed, active matter may appear like matter in thermal equilibrium. We discuss how the non-equilibrium character of active matter can nonetheless be revealed by using it as a working medium of engines delivering mechanical work in an isothermal environment. We focus on scalar active field theories such as the active model B as minimal continuum models for active matter undergoing a phase separation. The shape and chemical potential of droplets can be controlled through external potentials and activity patterns. We show how an asymmetric periodic activity pattern can drive a flow of active matter against an external force, thus acting as an autonomous engine. Moreover, we calculate and optimise the work that can be extracted by a cyclic engine that manipulates the activity and the potential landscape.