232 research outputs found
Modelling chemotaxis of microswimmers: from individual to collective behavior
We discuss recent progress in the theoretical description of chemotaxis by
coupling the diffusion equation of a chemical species to equations describing
the motion of sensing microorganisms. In particular, we discuss models for
autochemotaxis of a single microorganism which senses its own secretion leading
to phenomena such as self-localization and self-avoidance. For two
heterogeneous particles, chemotactic coupling can lead to predator-prey
behavior including chase and escape phenomena, and to the formation of active
molecules, where motility spontaneously emerges when the particles approach
each other. We close this review with some remarks on the collective behavior
of many particles where chemotactic coupling induces patterns involving
clusters, spirals or traveling waves.Comment: to appear as a contribution to the book "Chemical kinetics beyond the
textbook
Which Interactions Dominate in Active Colloids?
Despite a mounting evidence that the same gradients which active colloids use
for swimming, induce important cross-interactions (phoretic interaction), they
are still ignored in most many-body descriptions, perhaps to avoid complexity
and a zoo of unknown parameters. Here we derive a simple model, which reduces
phoretic far-field interactions to a pair-interaction whose strength is mainly
controlled by one genuine parameter (swimming speed). The model suggests that
phoretic interactions are generically important for autophoretic colloids
(unless effective screening of the phoretic fields is strong) and should
dominate over hydrodynamic interactions for the typical case of half-coating
and moderately nonuniform surface mobilities. Unlike standard minimal models,
but in accordance with canonical experiments, our model generically predicts
dynamic clustering in active colloids at low density. This suggests that
dynamic clustering can emerge from the interplay of screened phoretic
attractions and active diffusion.Comment: v2,v3 discussion improved, emphasized model limitations; v4 small
changes throughout, notation slightly changed, typos corrected, figure
update
Oscillatory driven colloidal binary mixtures: axial segregation versus laning
Using Brownian dynamics computer simulations we show that binary mixtures of
colloids driven in opposite directions by an oscillating external field exhibit
axial segregation in sheets perpendicular to the drive direction. The
segregation effect is stable only in a finite window of oscillation frequencies
and driving strengths and is taken over by lane formation in direction of the
driving field if the driving force is increased. In the crossover regime, bands
tilted relative to the drive direction are observed. Possible experiments to
verify the axial segregation are discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, movies available at
http://www2.thphy.uni-duesseldorf.de/~adam
Field theory fo charged fluids and colloids
A systematic field theory is presented for charged systems. The one-loop
level corresponds to the classical Debye-H\"uckel (DH) theory, and exhibits the
full hierarchy of multi-body correlations determined by pair-distribution
functions given by the screened DH potential. Higher-loop corrections can lead
to attractive pair interactions between colloids in asymmetric ionic
environments. The free energy follows as a loop-wise expansion in half-integer
powers of the density; the resulting two-phase demixing region shows pronounced
deviations from DH theory for strongly charged colloids.Comment: 4 pages, 2 ps figs; new version corrects some minor typo
Stability of Colloidal Quasicrystals
Freezing of charge-stabilized colloidal suspensions and relative stabilities
of crystals and quasicrystals are studied using thermodynamic perturbation
theory. Macroion interactions are modelled by effective pair potentials
combining electrostatic repulsion with polymer-depletion or van der Waals
attraction. Comparing free energies -- counterion terms included -- for
elementary crystals and rational approximants to icosahedral quasicrystals,
parameters are identified for which one-component quasicrystals are stabilized
by a compromise between packing entropy and cohesive energy.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure
Coexistence of hexatic and isotropic phases in two-dimensional Yukawa systems
We have performed Brownian dynamics simulations on melting of two-dimensional
colloidal crystal in which particles interact with Yukawa potential. The pair
correlation function and bond-orientational correlation function was calculated
in the Yukawa system. An algebraic decay of the bond orientational correlation
function was observed. By ruling out the coexistence region, only a unstable
hexatic phase was found in the Yukawa systems. But our work shows that the
melting of the Yukawa systems is a two-stage melting not consist with the KTHNY
theory and the isotropic liquid and the hexatic phase coexistence region was
found. Also we have studied point defects in two-dimensional Yukawa systems.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures. any comments are welcom
Discrete solvent effects on the effective interaction between charged colloids
Using computer simulations of two charged colloidal spheres with their
counterions in a hard sphere solvent, we show that the granular nature of the
solvent significantly influences the effective colloidal interaction. For
divalent counterions, the total effective force can become attractive generated
by counterion hydration, while for monovalent counterions the forces are
repulsive and well-described by a solvent-induced colloidal charge
renormalization. Both effects are not contained in the traditional "primitive"
approaches but can be accounted for in a solvent-averaged primitive model.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Stable crystalline lattices in two-dimensional binary mixtures of dipolar particles
The phase diagram of binary mixtures of particles interacting via a pair
potential of parallel dipoles is computed at zero temperature as a function of
composition and the ratio of their magnetic susceptibilities. Using lattice
sums, a rich variety of different stable crystalline structures is identified
including structures. [ particles correspond to large (small)
dipolar moments.] Their elementary cells consist of triangular, square,
rectangular or rhombic lattices of the particles with a basis comprising
various structures of and particles. For small (dipolar) asymmetry
there are intermediate and crystals besides the pure and
triangular crystals. These structures are detectable in experiments on granular
and colloidal matter.Comment: 6 pages - 2 figs - phase diagram update
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