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Despite the vast variety of collective behaviours at microscopic scales, experimental evaluations are difficult. Here, we use an asymmetric Janus particle (polystyrene beads half coated with metal), which are few micrometers in size, that self-propel in a 2-dimensional plane. The system demonstrates a plethora of interesting phenomena, and due to the fact that it is controllable, experimental realisation of collective dynamics and pattern formation at microscopic scales is anticipated. We present some results concerning the behaviours of these active particles.
Also using these particles, we investigated the application of fluctuation theories of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. We also present results on such studies (arXiv: submit/0238617). |
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