Functional control of network dynamics using designed Laplacian spectra

Complex real-world phenomena across a wide range of scales, from aviation and internet traffic to signal propagation in electronic and gene regulatory circuits, can be efficiently described through dynamic network models. In many such systems, the spectrum of the underlying graph Laplacian plays a key role in controlling the matter or information flow. Spectral graph theory has traditionally prioritized unweighted networks. Here, we introduce a complementary framework, providing a mathematically rigorous weighted graph construction that exactly realizes any desired spectrum. We illustrate the broad applicability of this approach by showing how designer spectra can be used to control the dynamics of various archetypal physical systems. Specifically, we demonstrate that a strategically placed gap induces chimera states in Kuramoto-type oscillator networks, completely suppresses pattern formation in a generic Swift-Hohenberg model, and leads to persistent localization in a discrete Gross-Pitaevskii quantum network. Our approach can be generalized to design continuous band gaps through periodic extensions of finite networks.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure

Reversible signal transmission in an active mechanical metamaterial

Mechanical metamaterials are designed to enable unique functionalities, but are typically limited by an initial energy state and require an independent energy input to function repeatedly. Our study introduces a theoretical active mechanical metamaterial that incorporates a biological reaction mechanism to overcome this key limitation of passive metamaterials. Our material allows for reversible mechanical signal transmission, where energy is reintroduced by the biologically motivated reaction mechanism. By analysing a coarse grained continuous analogue of the discrete model, we find that signals can be propagated through the material by a travelling wave. Analysis of the continuum model provides the region of the parameter space that allows signal transmission, and reveals similarities with the well-known FitzHugh-Nagumo system. We also find explicit formulae that approximate the effect of the timescale of the reaction mechanism on the signal transmission speed, which is essential for controlling the material.Comment: 20 pages, 7 figure

Autonomous actuation of zero modes in mechanical networks far from equilibrium

A zero mode, or floppy mode, is a non-trivial coupling of mechanical components yielding a degree of freedom with no resistance to deformation. Engineered zero modes have the potential to act as microscopic motors or memory devices, but this requires an internal actuation mechanism that can overcome unwanted fluctuations in other modes and the dissipation inherent in real systems. In this work, we show theoretically and experimentally that complex zero modes in mechanical networks can be selectively mobilized by non-equilibrium activity. We find that a correlated active bath actuates an infinitesimal zero mode while simultaneously suppressing fluctuations in higher modes compared to thermal fluctuations, which we experimentally mimic by high frequency shaking of a physical network. Furthermore, self-propulsive dynamics spontaneously mobilise finite mechanisms as exemplified by a self-propelled topological soliton. Non-equilibrium activity thus enables autonomous actuation of coordinated mechanisms engineered through network topology

Displacement of transport processes on networked topologies

Consider a particle whose position evolves along the edges of a network. One definition for the displacement of a particle is the length of the shortest path on the network between the current and initial positions of the particle. Such a definition fails to incorporate information of the actual path the particle traversed. In this work we consider another definition for the displacement of a particle on networked topologies. Using this definition, which we term the winding distance, we demonstrate that for Brownian particles, confinement to a network can induce a transition in the mean squared displacement from diffusive to ballistic behaviour, $\langle x^2(t) \rangle \propto t^2$ for long times. A multiple scales approach is used to derive a macroscopic evolution equation for the displacement of a particle and uncover a topological condition for whether this transition in the mean squared displacement will occur. Furthermore, for networks satisfying this topological condition, we identify a prediction of the timescale upon which the displacement transitions to long-time behaviour. Finally, we extend the investigation of displacement on networks to a class of anomalously diffusive transport processes, where we find that the mean squared displacement at long times is affected by both network topology and the character of the transport process.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figure

Stochastic cycle selection in active flow networks

Active biological flow networks pervade nature and span a wide range of scales, from arterial blood vessels and bronchial mucus transport in humans to bacterial flow through porous media or plasmodial shuttle streaming in slime molds. Despite their ubiquity, little is known about the self-organization principles that govern flow statistics in such nonequilibrium networks. Here we connect concepts from lattice field theory, graph theory, and transition rate theory to understand how topology controls dynamics in a generic model for actively driven flow on a network. Our combined theoretical and numerical analysis identifies symmetry-based rules that make it possible to classify and predict the selection statistics of complex flow cycles from the network topology. The conceptual framework developed here is applicable to a broad class of biological and nonbiological far-from-equilibrium networks, including actively controlled information flows, and establishes a correspondence between active flow networks and generalized ice-type models. Keywords: networks; active transport; stochastic dynamics; topologyNational Science Foundation (U.S.) (Award CBET-1510768

Ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic order in bacterial vortex lattices.

Despite their inherent non-equilibrium nature1, living systems can self-organize in highly ordered collective states2,3 that share striking similarities with the thermodynamic equilibrium phases4,5 of conventional condensed matter and fluid systems. Examples range from the liquid-crystal-like arrangements of bacterial colonies6,7, microbial suspensions8,9 and tissues10 to the coherent macro-scale dynamics in schools of fish11 and flocks of birds12. Yet, the generic mathematical principles that govern the emergence of structure in such artificial13 and biological6-9,14 systems are elusive. It is not clear when, or even whether, well-established theoretical concepts describing universal thermostatistics of equilibrium systems can capture and classify ordered states of living matter. Here, we connect these two previously disparate regimes: Through microfluidic experiments and mathematical modelling, we demonstrate that lattices of hydrodynamically coupled bacterial vortices can spontaneously organize into distinct phases of ferro- and antiferromagnetic order. The preferred phase can be controlled by tuning the vortex coupling through changes of the inter-cavity gap widths. The emergence of opposing order regimes is tightly linked to the existence of geometry-induced edge currents15,16, reminiscent of those in quantum systems17-19. Our experimental observations can be rationalized in terms of a generic lattice field theory, suggesting that bacterial spin networks belong to the same universality class as a wide range of equilibrium systems.EPSRCThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Nature Publishing Group via http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphys360