Active matter

Abstract

The study of systems with sustained energy uptake and dissipation at the\nscale of the constituent particles is an area of central interest in\nnonequilibrium statistical physics. Identifying such systems as a distinct\ncategory -- Active Matter -- unifies our understanding of autonomous collective\nmove- ment in the living world and in some surprising inanimate imitations. In\nthis article I present the Active Matter framework, briefly recall some early\nwork, review our recent results on single-particle and collective behaviour,\nincluding experiments on active granular monolayers, and discuss new directions\nfor the future.\n