Wetting dynamics by mixtures of fast and slow self-propelled particles
Mauricio Rojas-Vega, Pablo de Castro, Rodrigo Soto
Abstract
We study active surface wetting using a minimal model of bacteria that takes into account the intrinsic motility diversity of living matter. A mixture of "fast" and "slow" self-propelled Brownian particles is considered in the presence of a wall. The evolution of the wetting layer thickness shows an overshoot before stationarity and its composition evolves in two stages, equilibrating after a slow elimination of excess particles. Nonmonotonic evolutions are shown to arise from delayed avalanches towards the dilute phase combined with the emergence of a transient particle front.
Topics & Concepts
WettingOvershoot (microwave communication)Brownian motionChemical physicsParticle (ecology)Transient (computer programming)Materials scienceMechanicsDynamics (music)Phase (matter)PhysicsThermodynamicsBiologyQuantum mechanicsAcousticsComputer scienceEcologyOperating systemEngineeringElectrical engineeringMicro and Nano RoboticsDiffusion and Search DynamicsPickering emulsions and particle stabilization