Defect loops in 3D active nematics

 · Invited

Abstract

In 2D active nematics, internally driven chaotic flows are characterized by the continual production, motion, and annihilation of point defect pairs. We investigate the behavior of active nematics in 3D, for which we have developed an experimental model system of microtubules and molecular motors, as well as numerical modeling approaches. The defects characterizing chaotic flow are here curvilinear rather than point-like. We present a theoretical model predicting a certain class of closed disclination loops to be the system’s generic singularities. Through detailed analysis of experimental and numerically generated configurations, we show how our predictions of defect topology, geometry, and dynamics provide important insights into this highly complex 3D system.

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Presenters

  • Daniel Beller

    • Department of Physics, University of California, Merced
    • University of California Merced

Authors

  • Daniel Beller

    • Department of Physics, University of California, Merced
    • University of California Merced

  • Guillaume Duclos

    • Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University

  • Debarghya Banerjee

    • Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen

  • Minu Varghese

    • Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University
    • Physics Department, Brandeis University

  • Matthew Peterson

    • Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University

  • Arvind Baskaran

    • Physics, Brandeis University
    • Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University
    • Physics Department, Brandeis University

  • Aparna Baskaran

    • Brandeis University
    • Physics, Brandeis University
    • Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University
    • Physics Department, Brandeis University

  • Michael F Hagan

    • Chemistry, Brandeis University
    • Physics, Brandeis University
    • Brandeis University
    • Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University
    • Physics Department, Brandeis University

  • Federico Toschi

    • Eindhoven University of Technology
    • Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology

  • Sebastian Streichan

    • Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara

  • Vincenzo Vitelli

    • University of Chicago
    • Univ of Chicago
    • James Franck Institute and Department of Physics, University of Chicago
    • The James Franck Institute and Department of Physics, University of Chicago

  • Zvonimir Dogic

    • Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara

  • Robert Pelcovits

    • Department of Physics, Brown University

  • Thomas Powers

    • Brown University
    • School of Engineering and Department of Physics, Brown University
    • Department of Physics and School of Engineering, Brown University