SKM 2023 – scientific programme

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help

CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 21: Active Matter III (joint session BP/CPP/DY)

CPP 21.7: Talk

Tuesday, March 28, 2023, 11:15–11:30, TOE 317

Active matter: From spontaneous to controlled phenomena. — •Daniel Pearce — University of Geneva

Active matter is the study of materials able to move themselves. During this talk I will discuss how we can take advantage of the interplay between topological defects, geometry and topology to exercise control over active materials. By studying active nematic fluids on a curved surface, we can influence the position and orientation of topological defects according to their charge. This means specific nematic textures can be generated. By studying active contractile actomyosin gels, it is possible to show that only active topological defects with charge +1 can generate curvature, and the sign is related to the phase of the defect. This frees the process from the constraints of the Poincare-Hopf theorem and allows complex surfaces to be generated. This is demonstrated by recreating the shape of a freshwater hydra from the positions of the topological defects