Spatiotemporal control of active topological defects

Topological defects dictate the properties of many materials, from metal plasticity and magnetic frustration to the resistivity of superconductors. In active fluids, defects can spontaneously propel and drive chaotic flows stirring the fluid. But how can we locally control the dynamics of such defects in space and time? I will present an additive design framework to use elementary activity patterns, as active topological tweezers, to create, move and braid individual defects. A hydrodynamic extension of the framework enables us to control defect organization, patterning and transport at the collective level. I will conclude by highlighting future possibilities for the design of programmable active and living metafluids.