2023/03/28 by Sarvesh Uplap, Michael F. Hagan, Uplap, Sarvesh +3
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Micro and Nano Robotics #Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence #Molecular Communication and Nanonetworks #Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2303.16095
openalex publication_date 2023/03/28 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We use coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to study the motility of a 2D vesicle containing self-propelled rods, as a function of the vesicle bending rigidity and the number density, length, and activity of the enclosed rods. Above a threshold value of the rod length, distinct dynamical regimes emerge, including a dramatic enhancement of vesicle motility characterized by a highly persistent random walk. These regimes are determined by clustering of the rods within the vesicle; the maximum motility state arises when there is one long-lived polar cluster. We develop a scaling theory that predicts the dynamical regimes as a function of control parameters, and shows that feedback between activity and passive membrane forces govern the rod organization. These findings yield design principles for building self-propelled superstructures using independent active agents under deformable confinement.