Transport of the moving obstacle driven by alignment active particles

Abstract

Transport of a moving V-shaped obstacle driven by alignment active particles in a two-dimensional channel is numerically investigated. The obstacle’s movement in the x-direction results from nonequilibrium driving by alignment active particles and the longitudinal asymmetry of the obstacle’s position, disrupting thermodynamic equilibrium. The transport direction of the obstacle is determined by the interplay among the polar interaction strength, the properties of the obstacle, and the properties of the active particles. Remarkably, the direction of the obstacle’s movement and the average velocity of the active particles can both change several times by varying system parameters such as the polar interaction strength, the number of active particles and the translational diffusion coefficient. These results offer novel strategies for powering obstacles using bacteria or micrometer particles.