Morphology of active deformable 3D droplets

Abstract

We numerically investigate the morphology and disclination line dynamics of active nematic droplets in three dimensions. Although our model only incorporates the simplest possible form of achiral active stress, active nematic droplets display an unprecedented range of complex morphologies. For extensile activity finger-like protrusions grow at points where disclination lines intersect the droplet surface. For contractile activity, however, the activity field drives cup-shaped droplet invagination, run-and-tumble motion or the formation of surface wrinkles. This diversity of behaviour is explained in terms of an interplay between active anchoring, active flows and the dynamics of the motile dislocation lines. We discuss our findings in the light of biological processes such as morphogenesis, collective cancer invasion and the shape control of biomembranes, suggesting that some biological systems may share the same underlying mechanisms as active nematic droplets.

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Cited by in corpus (12)

• Theory of defect-mediated morphogenesis
• Data-driven discovery of active nematic hydrodynamics
• Fingering Instability of Active Nematic Droplets
• Active extensile stress promotes 3D director orientations and flows
• Asymmetric fluctuations and self-folding of active interfaces
• Helical Flow States in Active Nematics
• Scaling and spontaneous symmetry restoring of topological defect dynamics in liquid crystal
• Active nematics on flat surfaces: from droplet motility and scission to active wetting
• Defect Loops in Three-Dimensional Active Nematics as Active Multipoles
• Shapes and dynamic regimes of a polar active fluid droplet under confinement
• Motility and self propulsion of active droplets
• Interfacial instability of confined 3D active droplets