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Diffusion of active particles in a complex environment: Role of surface scattering

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Otti CrozeORCiD

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Abstract

© 2019 American Physical Society.Experiments have shown that self-propelled particles can slide along the surface of a circular obstacle without becoming trapped over long times. Using simulations and theory, we study the impact of boundary conditions on the diffusive transport of active particles in an obstacle lattice. We find that particle dynamics with sliding boundary conditions result in large diffusivities even at high obstacle density, unlike classical specular reflection. These dynamics are very well described by a model based on run-and-tumble particles with microscopically derived reorientation functions arising from obstacle-induced tumbles. This model, however, fails to describe fine structure in the diffusivity at high obstacle density predicted by simulations for pusherlike collisions. Using a simple deterministic model, we show that this structure results from particles being guided by the lattice. Our results thus show how nonclassical surface scattering introduces a dependence on the lattice geometry at high densities. We discuss implications for the study of bacteria in complex environments.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Jakuszeit T, Croze OA, Bell S

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Physical Review E

Year: 2019

Volume: 99

Issue: 1

Print publication date: 01/01/2019

Online publication date: 22/01/2019

Acceptance date: 02/04/2018

ISSN (print): 2470-0045

ISSN (electronic): 2470-0053

Publisher: American Physical Society

URL: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.99.012610

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.99.012610

PubMed id: 30780271

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