Mathematical Physics Seminar 6/4 – Dr Etienne Fodor – Active matter under control: Thermodynamics moves forward
Abstract: Active matter is the class of nonequilibrium systems where every component extracts energy from its environment to produce sustained motion. This leads to collective effects without any equilibrium equivalent, such as the phase separation of purely repulsive particles. While the phase diagrams of these nonequilibrium transitions have been studied extensively, only little is known about how to optimally control active systems.
I will discuss control protocols which rely on applying external perturbations at minimal cost. First, I will consider the design of engines extracting work from active matter. Second, I will present a systematic framework for optimal control in finite time, with potential to drive phase transitions externally. These examples illustrate how to find the best trade-off between internal driving, governed by particle-based energy consumption, and external driving, controlled by perturbations, in active matter.
Join Zoom using livestream button to the left.