Exploring a model of density variations in microtubule-based active nematics

We use a new model for the dynamics of microtubule-based active nematics to study density variations that lead to the canonical striation pattern seen in experiments as well as the suppression of density at topological defects. Like the traditional Landau-de Gennes modeling of active nematics, our model has several physical parameters that affect the resulting dynamics. This includes parameters that control the strength of the material fracturing, curvature-dependent diffusion, and asymmetry in the mobility of the microtubules relative to the nematic orientation. We explore how these parameters impact the resulting simulations and how we can target parameter regimes that mimic the experimental system.