Motility-induced phase separation in an active dumbbell fluid

A. Suma*, G. Gonnella, D. Marenduzzo, E. Orlandini

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We study a suspension of active dumbbells of variable density, as a minimal example of an active polar fluid. As in a fluid of spherical swimmers, we find that motility triggers a nonequilibrium phase separation if the density exceeds a critical threshold. We also show that the phase separation is lost when the active force becomes too large, ultimately due to inertial effects. Remarkably, the aggregates which assemble spontaneously break chiral symmetry and rotate; they also display a nematic ordering with spiral patterns. editor's choice Copyright (C) EPLA, 2014

Original languageEnglish
Article number56004
Number of pages6
JournalEuropean Physical Society Letters (EPL)
Volume108
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2014

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • BACTERIA
  • PARTICLES
  • MATTER

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