Duke Physics Department Colloquium: Self-Organization and Mechanics of Active Matter

"Self-Organization and Mechanics of Active Matter" - Bird flocks, bacterial suspensions, and colloids propelled by self-catalytic reactions are examples of active matter ¿ collectives of individually driven, dissipative units with fascinating emergent behavior at large scales. Active systems self-organize in complex patterns, with transitions between ordered and disordered states, and spontaneously generate forces and sustained motion. In this talk I will highlight common properties of these diverse systems and describe recent progress in understanding and classifying their complex behavior using theory and simulations. Faculty Host: Bob Behringer. Refreshments will be served before and after the event in Physics room 128.