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Self-propelled colloids in soft container: from motile droplets to active emulsions — NSF Award to Northwestern University (IL, $5

Non-Technical Abstract Active matter—systems composed of self-propelled particles such as bacteria or synthetic microswimmers—can behave in surprising ways when confined. For example, particles that move randomly in open space may exhibit organized, collective motion when enclosed. This project explores what happens wh

Award titleSelf-propelled colloids in soft container: from motile droplets to active emulsions
Award ID2415770
AwardeeNorthwestern University
CityEVANSTON
StateIL
Amount obligated$532,396
Principal investigatorPetia Vlahovska
ProgramCONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
Start date09/01/2025
AbstractNon-Technical Abstract Active matter—systems composed of self-propelled particles such as bacteria or synthetic microswimmers—can behave in surprising ways when confined. For example, particles that move randomly in open space may exhibit organized, collective motion when enclosed. This project explores what happens when active particles are confined within a soft, flexible boundary like a droplet. The research team recently discovered that this setup leads to unexpected behaviors: the droplet i
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