Biological active matter aggregates: Inspiration for smart colloidal materials

摘要: Aggregations of social organisms exhibit a remarkable range properties and functionalities. Multiple examples, such as fire ants or slime mold, show how population individuals is able to overcome an existential threat by gathering into solid-like aggregate with emergent functionality. Surprisingly, these aggregates are driven simple rules, their mechanisms great parallelism among species. At the same time, effort has been made scientific community develop active colloidal materials, microbubbles Janus particles, which similar behaviors. However, direct connection between two realms still not evident, it would greatly benefit future studies. In this review, we first discuss current understanding living aggregates, point out in formation explore vast properties. Second, review knowledge aggregated systems, methods used achieve aggregations potential Based on knowledge, finally identify set over-arching principles commonly found biological aggregations, further suggest directions for creation bio-inspired colloid aggregations.