Self-propulsion of active droplets without liquid-crystalline order
Rajesh Singh, Elsen Tjhung, Michael E. Cates
Abstract
This work presents a two dimensional model of self-propulsion in active droplets, such as cells, involving two scalar fields, representing the cytoplasm and a contractile cortex. An active stress couples the two scalar fields. The self-propulsion results from the activity when rotational symmetry is spontaneously broken.
Topics & Concepts
Scalar (mathematics)Rotational symmetryPhysicsWork (physics)Symmetry (geometry)Classical mechanicsMechanicsOrder (exchange)Scalar fieldStress (linguistics)Materials scienceChemistryMathematicsCondensed matter physicsMicro and Nano RoboticsNonlinear Dynamics and Pattern FormationModular Robots and Swarm Intelligence