2012/02/01 by Andreas Kaiser, A. Kaiser, H. H. Wensink +2 · 6 citations
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Biology #Boundary (topology) #Chevron (anatomy) #Colloid #Colloidal particle #Computer science #Materials science #Micro and Nano Robotics #Microfluidic and Bio-sensing Technologies #Molecular Communication and Nanonetworks #Phase (matter) #Phase diagram #Physics #Quantum mechanics #Rod #Sequence (biology) #Trap (plumbing) #Trapping #cond-mat.soft
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.108.268307
published as Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 268307 (2012) · 5 pages, 4 figures
arxiv created 2012/02/01 · openalex publication_date 2012/06/29 · arxiv updated 2012/07/13 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
In many applications, it is important to catch collections of autonomously navigating microbes and man-made microswimmers in a controlled way. Using computer simulation of a two-dimensional system of self-propelled rods we show that a static chevron-shaped wall represents an excellent trapping device for self-motile particles. Its catching efficiency can be controlled by varying the apex angle of the trap which defines the sharpness of the cusp. Upon decreasing the angle we find a sequence of three emergent states: no trapping at wide angles followed by a sharp transition towards complete trapping at medium angles and a crossover to partial trapping at small cusp angles. A generic trapping "phase diagram" maps out the conditions at which the capture of active particles at a given density is rendered optimal.