Issue 37, 2023

Worm blobs as entangled living polymers: from topological active matter to flexible soft robot collectives

Abstract

Recently, the study of long, slender living worms has gained attention due to their unique ability to form highly entangled physical structures, exhibiting emergent behaviors. These organisms can assemble into an active three-dimensional soft entity referred to as the “blob”, which exhibits both solid-like and liquid-like properties. This blob can respond to external stimuli such as light, to move or change shape. In this perspective article, we acknowledge the extensive and rich history of polymer physics, while illustrating how these living worms provide a fascinating experimental platform for investigating the physics of active, polymer-like entities. The combination of activity, long aspect ratio, and entanglement in these worms gives rise to a diverse range of emergent behaviors. By understanding the intricate dynamics of the worm blob, we could potentially stimulate further research into the behavior of entangled active polymers, and guide the advancement of synthetic topological active matter and bioinspired tangling soft robot collectives.

Graphical abstract: Worm blobs as entangled living polymers: from topological active matter to flexible soft robot collectives

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
25 4月 2023
Accepted
14 8月 2023
First published
06 9月 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Soft Matter, 2023,19, 7057-7069

Worm blobs as entangled living polymers: from topological active matter to flexible soft robot collectives

A. Deblais, K. R. Prathyusha, R. Sinaasappel, H. Tuazon, I. Tiwari, V. P. Patil and M. S. Bhamla, Soft Matter, 2023, 19, 7057 DOI: 10.1039/D3SM00542A

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