Issue 36, 2023

Stiffening and dynamics of a two-dimensional active elastic solid

Abstract

This work deals with the mechanical properties and dynamics of an active elastic solid defined as a two-dimensional network of active stochastic particles interacting by nonlinear hard springs. By proposing a discrete model, it is numerically found that when activity in the system is turned on, the active solid stiffens as a function of propulsion forces, thus deviating from equilibrium mechanics. To understand this effect a minimal stochastic model is offered, and a physical explanation based on spatial symmetry-breaking is put forward. In addition, the dynamics of the active solid in the absence of an external stress is also studied. From this, three main features are observed to emerge, namely, a collective behavior within the active solid, a time-density fluctuation, and oscillating dynamics of the internal stresses towards a steady state.

Graphical abstract: Stiffening and dynamics of a two-dimensional active elastic solid

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
20 Apr 2023
Accepted
18 Aug 2023
First published
21 Aug 2023

Soft Matter, 2023,19, 6885-6895

Stiffening and dynamics of a two-dimensional active elastic solid

M. Sandoval, Soft Matter, 2023, 19, 6885 DOI: 10.1039/D3SM00529A

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