We investigate the mechanics of an active droplet endowed with internal nematic order and surrounded by an isotropic Newtonian fluid. Using numerical simulations we demonstrate that, due to the interplay between the active stresses and the defective geometry of the nematic director, this system exhibits two of the fundamental functions of living cells: spontaneous division and motility, by means of self-generated hydrodynamic flows. These behaviors can be selectively activated by controlling a single physical parameter, namely, an active variant of the capillary number.

Spontaneous Division and Motility in Active Nematic Droplets / Giomi, Luca; De Simone, Antonio. - In: PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS. - ISSN 0031-9007. - 112:14(2014), pp. 147802.1-147802.5. [10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.147802]

Spontaneous Division and Motility in Active Nematic Droplets

Giomi, Luca;De Simone, Antonio
2014-01-01

Abstract

We investigate the mechanics of an active droplet endowed with internal nematic order and surrounded by an isotropic Newtonian fluid. Using numerical simulations we demonstrate that, due to the interplay between the active stresses and the defective geometry of the nematic director, this system exhibits two of the fundamental functions of living cells: spontaneous division and motility, by means of self-generated hydrodynamic flows. These behaviors can be selectively activated by controlling a single physical parameter, namely, an active variant of the capillary number.
2014
112
14
1
5
147802
https://arxiv.org/abs/1310.1908
Giomi, Luca; De Simone, Antonio
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
PRL_PUBLISHED.pdf

non disponibili

Tipologia: Versione Editoriale (PDF)
Licenza: Non specificato
Dimensione 866.63 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
866.63 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11767/16303
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 18
  • Scopus 97
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 97
social impact