Multi-parameter control of active matter

Active matter is a broad class of non-equilibrium physical systems, including many living and artificial systems, whereby energy conversion occurs on the level of the individual constituents. Many of the phenomenology of active matter are simply not possible in a passive -- equilibrium -- setting, motivating the building and control of active materials, machines, and devices that have the potential to perform functions beyond that of passive technology. Understanding the efficient manipulation of active matter is only in its infancy, mainly due to the difficulties in properly accounting for far-from-equilibrium effects. Here, building on recent advances in the single-parameter thermodynamic control of active matter, we develop a theoretical and computational framework towards the multi-parameter control of active systems. We focus on the dual-control problem of an active particle in a trap, with the goal of efficient control. Overall, we provide a framework for the multi-parameter control of active systems allowing the investigation of more involved control problems.