Out-of-equilibrium Soft Matter: Active Fluids

Active fluids are motions that transform energy from the surroundings into directed motion, such as individual swimming bacteria, drops, bubbles, and colloids. This book provides an expert introduction to active fluid systems, covering simple to complex environments, the interplay of chemical processes and hydrodynamics, and emerging avenues of research, such as biological functions and programmable active materials.

Format: Hardback
Length: 396 pages
Publication date: 24 March 2023
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

Active fluids encompass a wide range of movements that arise from the conversion of energy from the environment into directed motion. These movements can take various forms, both natural and artificial, such as individual swimming bacteria or motile cells, drops and bubbles that move due to surface tensions (known as Marangoni motions), and colloids driven by chemical or optical forces. By delving into the study of active fluids, researchers gain valuable insights into non-equilibrium systems, uncover potential applications, and pave the way for new directions in physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering.

This comprehensive book serves as an expert introduction to active fluid systems, covering a broad spectrum of environments, from simple to complex. It elucidates the intricate interplay between chemical processes and hydrodynamics, emphasizing the roles of mechanical and rheological properties in active fluids. The book draws upon experimental evidence, theoretical frameworks, and computer simulations to provide a comprehensive understanding of these concepts. These principles are applied to diverse scenarios, including the trajectories of microswimmers, cell crawling, fluid stirring, and the collective behaviors of dense suspensions and active gels. Emerging research avenues are highlighted, encompassing the role of active processes in biological functions and the development of programmable active materials, showcasing the immense potential of this rapidly evolving field.

Weight: 783g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839162299