Controlling Topological Defects in Polar Fluids via Reinforcement Learning

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Singh, Abhinav, Koumoutsakos, Petros
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Singh, Abhinav
Koumoutsakos, Petros
author_facet Singh, Abhinav
Koumoutsakos, Petros
contents Topological defects in active polar fluids exhibit complex dynamics driven by internally generated stresses, reflecting the deep interplay between topology, flow, and non-equilibrium hydrodynamics. Feedback control offers a powerful means to guide such systems, enabling transitions between dynamic states. We investigated closed-loop steering of integer-charged defects in a confined active fluid by modulating the spatial profile of activity. Using a continuum hydrodynamic model, we show that localized control of active stress induces flow fields that can reposition and direct defects along prescribed trajectories by exploiting non-linear couplings in the system. A reinforcement learning framework is used to discover effective control strategies that produce robust defect transport across both trained and novel trajectories. The results highlight how AI agents can learn the underlying dynamics and spatially structure activity to manipulate topological excitations, offering insights into the controllability of active matter and the design of adaptive, self-organized materials.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2507_19298
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Controlling Topological Defects in Polar Fluids via Reinforcement Learning
Singh, Abhinav
Koumoutsakos, Petros
Soft Condensed Matter
Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
Topological defects in active polar fluids exhibit complex dynamics driven by internally generated stresses, reflecting the deep interplay between topology, flow, and non-equilibrium hydrodynamics. Feedback control offers a powerful means to guide such systems, enabling transitions between dynamic states. We investigated closed-loop steering of integer-charged defects in a confined active fluid by modulating the spatial profile of activity. Using a continuum hydrodynamic model, we show that localized control of active stress induces flow fields that can reposition and direct defects along prescribed trajectories by exploiting non-linear couplings in the system. A reinforcement learning framework is used to discover effective control strategies that produce robust defect transport across both trained and novel trajectories. The results highlight how AI agents can learn the underlying dynamics and spatially structure activity to manipulate topological excitations, offering insights into the controllability of active matter and the design of adaptive, self-organized materials.
title Controlling Topological Defects in Polar Fluids via Reinforcement Learning
topic Soft Condensed Matter
Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.19298