Spontaneous membrane formation and self-encapsulation of active rods in an inhomogeneous motility field

摘要: We study the collective dynamics of self-propelled rods in an inhomogeneous motility field. At interface between two regions constant but different motility, a smectic rod layer is spontaneously created through aligning interactions active rods, reminiscent artificial, semipermeable membrane. This "active membrane" engulfes which are locally trapped low-motility and thereby further enhances trapping efficiency by self-organization, effect we call "self-encapsulation." Our results gained computer simulations models confined on two-dimensional planar or spherical surface with stepwise field, phenomenon should be observable any geometry sufficiently large spatial inhomogeneity. also discuss possibilities to verify our predictions active-membrane formation experiments colloidal vibrated granular matter.