Spatio-temporal control of optically responsive compressible isotropic active fluids

In a microtubule-kinesin active isotropic fluid, microtubules form bundles through depletion, leading to their extension and the emergence of chaotic flows. Previous studies have developed optically responsive kinesin molecular motors that can be used for spatio-temporal patterning of active flows. In this work, we explore how compressible isotropic active fluids respond to different light patterns. Furthermore, based on the recent advances describing active liquid-liquid phase separation we create active droplets. By a similar approach, we can apply light patterns to these droplets and study their motion. Our goal is to control the shape and motility of these active droplets.