The Mechanics and Statistics of Active Matter

TLDR

Active particles possess internal degrees of freedom that allow them to consume and dissipate energy, enabling systematic movement; examples include living organisms and motile constituents such as molecular motors. The article reviews recent progress toward a systematic theory of active matter by applying principles of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and hydrodynamics. Theory and experiment are discussed side by side. A unified view of the many kinds of active matter is presented, encompassing not only living systems but inanimate analogues.

Abstract

Active particles contain internal degrees of freedom with the ability to take in and dissipate energy and, in the process, execute systematic movement. Examples include all living organisms and their motile constituents such as molecular motors. This article reviews recent progress in applying the principles of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and hydrodynamics to form a systematic theory of the behaviour of collections of active particles -- active matter -- with only minimal regard to microscopic details. A unified view of the many kinds of active matter is presented, encompassing not only living systems but inanimate analogues. Theory and experiment are discussed side by side.