Abstract

Zoom link: https://maths-cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/94018037756

Active matter represents a broad class of materials and systems comprising interacting and energy-consuming constituents. The goal of active matter research is to elucidate the operational principles that enable these materials to assemble structures, do mechanical work, and propagate or process information. Model active systems such as reaction-diffusion systems and active fluids enable a quantitative study of the essential physics that unifies all active materials, both living and synthetic. Recent developments in light-activated kinesin motor complexes enable programmatic spatiotemporal control over the active stress field of active gels and nematics, offering abundant opportunities for interacting with these materials in new ways. However, so far, these efforts have relied on ad hoc control strategies that are not directly informed by dynamical models. Towards rationally interacting with active materials, I will discuss our recent computational work on applying optimal control theory to an active nematic material. I’ll demonstrate how nontrivial system inputs can be calculated to steer a confined active nematic between two dynamical attractors: clockwise and counter-clockwise rotational states. Looking forward, the generality of the optimal control framework offers the potential for translation to living systems.