Towards a thermodynamics of active matter
- Creators
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Takatori, Sho C.
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Brady, J. F.
Abstract
Self-propulsion allows living systems to display self-organization and unusual phase behavior. Unlike passive systems in thermal equilibrium, active matter systems are not constrained by conventional thermodynamic laws. A question arises, however, as to what extent, if any, can concepts from classical thermodynamics be applied to nonequilibrium systems like active matter. Here we use the new swim pressure perspective to develop a simple theory for predicting phase separation in active matter. Using purely mechanical arguments we generate a phase diagram with a spinodal and critical point, and define a nonequilibrium chemical potential to interpret the "binodal." We provide a generalization of thermodynamic concepts like the free energy and temperature for nonequilibrium active systems. Our theory agrees with existing simulation data both qualitatively and quantitatively and may provide a framework for understanding and predicting the behavior of nonequilibrium active systems.
Additional Information
© 2015 American Physical Society. Received 14 November 2014; published 11 March 2015. S.C.T. is supported by a Gates Millennium Scholars fellowship and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (No. DGE-1144469). This work is also supported by NSF Grant No. CBET 1437570.Attached Files
Published - PhysRevE.91.032117.pdf
Submitted - 1411.5776v1.pdf
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Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 52451
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20141208-083141228
- Gates Millennium Scholars fellowship
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
- DGE-1144469
- NSF
- CBET 1437570
- Created
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2014-12-09Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-10Created from EPrint's last_modified field