Passive polymers in active turbulence undergo a collapse-stretch transition
Fuente:
arXiv
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| Autori principali: | , , |
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| Natura: | Preprint |
| Pubblicazione: |
2025
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| _version_ | 1866908562808111104 |
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| author | Valei, Zahra K. Marenduzzo, Davide Shendruk, Tyler N. |
| author_facet | Valei, Zahra K. Marenduzzo, Davide Shendruk, Tyler N. |
| contents | Active processes in living systems generate nonequilibrium forces that deform embedded passive macromolecules. To understand how such dynamics influence polymer conformation, we study a flexible passive chain in an active nematic fluid. Using hybrid simulations, we uncover a length-dependent transition in polymer behavior: long chains align with and stretch along defect-driven flows, while short chains bend and collapse due to localized stresses. These responses are controlled by a competition between the polymer size and the emergent length scale of the active turbulence. Our results reveal a defect-mediated mechanism for conformational control and point toward general physical principles for designing responsive soft materials that couple passive structure to active dynamics. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2509_23382 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Passive polymers in active turbulence undergo a collapse-stretch transition Valei, Zahra K. Marenduzzo, Davide Shendruk, Tyler N. Soft Condensed Matter Active processes in living systems generate nonequilibrium forces that deform embedded passive macromolecules. To understand how such dynamics influence polymer conformation, we study a flexible passive chain in an active nematic fluid. Using hybrid simulations, we uncover a length-dependent transition in polymer behavior: long chains align with and stretch along defect-driven flows, while short chains bend and collapse due to localized stresses. These responses are controlled by a competition between the polymer size and the emergent length scale of the active turbulence. Our results reveal a defect-mediated mechanism for conformational control and point toward general physical principles for designing responsive soft materials that couple passive structure to active dynamics. |
| title | Passive polymers in active turbulence undergo a collapse-stretch transition |
| topic | Soft Condensed Matter |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.23382 |