Tumbling Dynamics of Confined Chiral Active Nematics

Chiral structures and dynamics are prevalent in active and living systems, including chiral biomolecules, helical flagella, and circular motion of microswimmers near a surface. In this study, we investigate the tumbling dynamics of confined chiral active nematics. We demonstrate that the self-spinning of active nematic units can lead to the emergence of novel defect dynamics and spontaneous flow patterns. We further explore the influence of geometry confinement on the dynamics of chiral active nematics, revealing distinct defect dynamics modes and their transitions as the system size and shape vary. Our findings shed light on the complex interplay between activity, confinement geometry, and flow-tumbling parameters in chiral active nematics, providing insights into their dynamical behaviors, and offering opportunities for their applications.