Theories of collective dynamics and active matter constitute a set of analytical and computational techniques used to model systems of self-driven units that convert internal or ambient energy into persistent motion, leading to emergent nonequilibrium phenomena. These techniques include continuum hydrodynamic theories, kinetic theory approaches, and agent-based modeling frameworks that describe pattern formation, phase separation, flocking, and anomalous transport in active systems. They provide mathematical tools to derive effective equations of motion, quantify correlations and fluctuations, and predict macroscopic behavior from microscopic interaction rules, enabling systematic analysis of biological, synthetic, and granular active materials beyond equilibrium statistical mechanics.
Flocking birds and schools of fish are a familiar sight. While previous research has uncovered the broad dynamics driving these movements, their underlying intricacies remain a mystery. Now a study by a team of New York University ...
Soft Matter
Jun 18, 2026
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32
Birds in flocks, bacteria and cells: In many collective systems, individual elements respond to only part of their surroundings, seemingly defying Newton's third law of motion—action equals reaction. These exceptions are ...
General Physics
Jun 12, 2026
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317
Researchers in Spain have discovered that in collectives of moving fire ants, rippling "waves" of density and activity are likely triggered by local regions where ants collectively travel in the same direction as their neighbors.
Cellular membranes not only constitute a barrier, but they also accommodate a plethora of different molecules for sensing and ensuring cellular function. These molecules often cluster together, forming condensates embedded ...
Cell & Microbiology
May 19, 2026
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5
The development of an embryo is one of the most fundamental processes in biology. Early in this process, it is determined which cells will give rise to which tissues—controlled by epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation. ...
Cell & Microbiology
Apr 29, 2026
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11
Understanding how wounds heal after injury could be a step closer thanks to a new mathematical model developed by researchers at the University of Bristol. The study, published in Physical Review Letters, builds on previous ...
Cell & Microbiology
Apr 27, 2026
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54
For some time, researchers have assumed that solid materials could gain more useful properties by making their microscopic components more active. Now, a team led by Jack Binysh at the University of Amsterdam has found that ...
Biological tissues have a remarkable ability to organize and change shape, driven by forces generated by their own cells. One of the major challenges in bioengineering is harnessing this natural behavior to design synthetic ...
Cell & Microbiology
Apr 16, 2026
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22
What physical processes govern the movement of microscopic structures capable of interacting with their environment? The answer lies in two mechanisms: self-propulsion, to escape unfavorable locations; and slow diffusion, ...
Soft Matter
Apr 15, 2026
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9
In physics, some waves behave in a surprising way: instead of spreading out and fading, they hold their shape as they travel at constant speeds. These unusual waves, called solitons, have interested scientists since they ...
Soft Matter
Mar 30, 2026
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18
