Defect loops in 3D active nematics

Invited

Abstract

In 2D active nematics, internally driven chaotic flows are characterized by the continual production, motion, and annihilation of point defect pairs. We investigate the behavior of active nematics in 3D, for which we have developed an experimental model system of microtubules and molecular motors, as well as numerical modeling approaches. The defects characterizing chaotic flow are here curvilinear rather than point-like. We present a theoretical model predicting a certain class of closed disclination loops to be the system’s generic singularities. Through detailed analysis of experimental and numerically generated configurations, we show how our predictions of defect topology, geometry, and dynamics provide important insights into this highly complex 3D system.

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Presenters

  • Daniel Beller

    Department of Physics, University of California, Merced, University of California Merced

Authors

  • Daniel Beller

    Department of Physics, University of California, Merced, University of California Merced

  • Guillaume Duclos

    Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University

  • Debarghya Banerjee

    Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen

  • Minu Varghese

    Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Physics Department, Brandeis University

  • Matthew Peterson

    Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University

  • Arvind Baskaran

    Physics, Brandeis University, Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Physics Department, Brandeis University

  • Aparna Baskaran

    Brandeis University, Physics, Brandeis University, Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Physics Department, Brandeis University

  • Michael F Hagan

    Chemistry, Brandeis University, Physics, Brandeis University, Brandeis University, Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Physics Department, Brandeis University

  • Federico Toschi

    Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology

  • Sebastian Streichan

    Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara

  • Vincenzo Vitelli

    University of Chicago, Univ of Chicago, James Franck Institute and Department of Physics, University of Chicago, The James Franck Institute and Department of Physics, University of Chicago

  • Zvonimir Dogic

    Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara

  • Robert Pelcovits

    Department of Physics, Brown University

  • Thomas Powers

    Brown University, School of Engineering and Department of Physics, Brown University, Department of Physics and School of Engineering, Brown University