StaMACS | Statistical Mechanics and transport phenomena in Active Colloidal Solids

Summary
The objective of StaMACS is to uncover the dynamics of an active and loosely packed magnetic colloidal crystal. This system will consist of repulsive paramagnetic particles immersed in a bath of light-driven bacteria. We will have two independent ways to tune the interactions: 1) An external magnetic field will control the strength of the dipolar repulsion between colloids. 2) The intensity of light will control the motility of bacteria and thus the particle’s induced activity, both locally and globally. By combining experiments with simulations and theoretical analysis, we will reach a general understanding of this system’s dynamics, study its melting and crystallization transitions and examine how a local change in activity propagates throughout the crystal. Our findings will unveil the properties of a novel out-of-equilibrium system: an active colloidal solid. Furthermore, this work will stimulate theoretical investigation related to the kinetics of such systems, with strong implications on understanding the fundamental process of crystallization in the presence of activity. By a two-way transfer of knowledge, StaMACS will bring numerous mutual benefits to both the researcher and the host institution. Its results will represent a major contribution to the soft and active matter field with direct applications in physics, biology and material science.

Descriptors: Active Matter, Soft Matter, Statistical Mechanics, Magnetic Colloids
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101019795
Start date: 01-10-2021
End date: 30-09-2023
Total budget - Public funding: 171 473,28 Euro - 171 473,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

The objective of StaMACS is to uncover the dynamics of an active and loosely packed magnetic colloidal crystal. This system will consist of repulsive paramagnetic particles immersed in a bath of light-driven bacteria. We will have two independent ways to tune the interactions: 1) An external magnetic field will control the strength of the dipolar repulsion between colloids. 2) The intensity of light will control the motility of bacteria and thus the particle’s induced activity, both locally and globally. By combining experiments with simulations and theoretical analysis, we will reach a general understanding of this system’s dynamics, study its melting and crystallization transitions and examine how a local change in activity propagates throughout the crystal. Our findings will unveil the properties of a novel out-of-equilibrium system: an active colloidal solid. Furthermore, this work will stimulate theoretical investigation related to the kinetics of such systems, with strong implications on understanding the fundamental process of crystallization in the presence of activity. By a two-way transfer of knowledge, StaMACS will bring numerous mutual benefits to both the researcher and the host institution. Its results will represent a major contribution to the soft and active matter field with direct applications in physics, biology and material science.

Descriptors: Active Matter, Soft Matter, Statistical Mechanics, Magnetic Colloids

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

MSCA-IF-2020

Update Date

28-04-2024
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Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.1. EXCELLENT SCIENCE
H2020-EU.1.3. EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
H2020-EU.1.3.2. Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
MSCA-IF-2020 Individual Fellowships