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Confinement-induced accumulation and de-mixing of microscopic active-passive mixtures

Author

Listed:
  • Stephen Williams

    (University of Warwick)

  • Raphaël Jeanneret

    (Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris)

  • Idan Tuval

    (Universitat de les Illes Balears
    Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA)

  • Marco Polin

    (University of Warwick
    Universitat de les Illes Balears
    Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA)

Abstract

Understanding the out-of-equilibrium properties of noisy microscale systems and the extent to which they can be modulated externally, is a crucial scientific and technological challenge. It holds the promise to unlock disruptive new technologies ranging from targeted delivery of chemicals within the body to directed assembly of new materials. Here we focus on how active matter can be harnessed to transport passive microscopic systems in a statistically predictable way. Using a minimal active-passive system of weakly Brownian particles and swimming microalgae, we show that spatial confinement leads to a complex non-monotonic steady-state distribution of colloids, with a pronounced peak at the boundary. The particles’ emergent active dynamics is well captured by a space-dependent Poisson process resulting from the space-dependent motion of the algae. Based on our findings, we then realise experimentally the de-mixing of the active-passive suspension, opening the way for manipulating colloidal objects via controlled activity fields.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen Williams & Raphaël Jeanneret & Idan Tuval & Marco Polin, 2022. "Confinement-induced accumulation and de-mixing of microscopic active-passive mixtures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-32520-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32520-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Congping Lin & Martin Schuster & Sofia Cunha Guimaraes & Peter Ashwin & Michael Schrader & Jeremy Metz & Christian Hacker & Sarah Jane Gurr & Gero Steinberg, 2016. "Active diffusion and microtubule-based transport oppose myosin forces to position organelles in cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-14, September.
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    3. Amin Doostmohammadi & Tyler N. Shendruk & Kristian Thijssen & Julia M. Yeomans, 2017. "Onset of meso-scale turbulence in active nematics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, August.
    4. Antoine Bricard & Jean-Baptiste Caussin & Nicolas Desreumaux & Olivier Dauchot & Denis Bartolo, 2013. "Emergence of macroscopic directed motion in populations of motile colloids," Nature, Nature, vol. 503(7474), pages 95-98, November.
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