Binding self-propelled topological defects in active turbulence

Abstract

We report on the emergence of stable self-propelled bound defects in monolayers of active nematics, which form virtual full-integer topological defects in the form of vortices and asters. Through numerical simulations and analytical arguments, we identify the phase-space of the bound defect formation in active nematic monolayers. It is shown that an intricate synergy between the nature of active stresses and the flow-aligning behaviour of active particles can stabilise the motion of self-propelled positive half-integer defects into specific bound structures. Our findings uncover new complexities in active nematics with potential for triggering new experiments and theories.

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Cited by in corpus (9)

• Submersed Micropatterned Structures Control Active Nematic Flow, Topology and Concentration
• Topological defects in solids with odd elasticity
• Large-scale orientational order in bacterial colonies during inward growth
• Active nematic defects and epithelial morphogenesis
• Spontaneous Self-Constraint in Active Nematic Flows
• Controlling topological defects and contractile flow in confined nematic cell population
• Fluctuation-induced dynamics of nematic topological defects
• Activity pulses induce spontaneous flow reversals in viscoelastic environments
• Anti-hyperuniform Critical States of Active Topological Defects