Ziel
The study of living matter has to be considered as an exciting and substantive
part of the modern definition of physics. Whether a general statistical
mechanics exists for broad classes of of active systems and what is the
quantitative predictive power that we could expect from those theories remain
still open and debated questions. Reductionism and approximations, the most
powerful weapons of theoretical physicists have to face a degree of complexity
that has no analogue in non living matter. That results in a number of
phenomenological parameters whose connection to microscopic quantities is
rarely supported by experimental data. Moreover some of the most peculiar and
potentially groundbreaking properties of active matter can only be evidenced in
the presence of external force fields and are still largely unexplored.
We propose to combine frontier research tools for 3D holographic
micromanipulation and 3D two-photon microfabrication to gain an unprecedented
active role in probing active matter dynamics, from few bodies interactions up
to collective behavior. For example, we will study bacteria interactions by
grabbing, orienting and releasing individual bacteria in a sort of
bacteria-bacteria scattering experiments. On the other hand optical energy
landscapes, which can be structured in space and time, will allow to study
collective response to the tunable and smooth fields that are particularly
suited for theoretical treatment. Furthermore two-photon lithography will
allow the microfabrication of arbitrarily shaped 3D structures that will be
used as probes for the highly non-trivial correlations and response functions
in non equilibrium active baths.
Besides providing a playground for theoretical developments in non-equilibrium
physics, this project will explore novel opportunities to exploit active
matter as a SMART material, capable of performing useful tasks in micro and
nano engineered devices.
Wissenschaftliches Gebiet
Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung
ERC-2012-StG_20111012
Andere Projekte für diesen Aufruf anzeigen
Finanzierungsplan
ERC-SG - ERC Starting GrantGastgebende Einrichtung
00185 Roma
Italien