Effect of internal energy depletion on active nematic texture and dynamics

ABSTRACT

Active nematics represent a relatively new class of materials with liquid crystalline properties that rely on an energy source to maintain their structure and dynamics. In this paper, we focus on the well-known microtubule-kinesin-based active nematic, powered by chemical energy as ATP (Adenosine triphosphate), and report on how ATP depletion impacts active nematic defect dynamics and texture. Using fluorescence microscope video imaging, we measure the time averaged mean defect separations and root mean square velocities of the active flows as a function of time. We also characterise textural changes and the growth of void space in the network after ATP depletion using an image binarization technique.

Graphical abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Active nematic
• active matter
• microtubule
• molecular motors
• ATP

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the National Science Foundation (NSF) award DMR-1808926 for generous funding.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The project was also supported by the NSF through the Center of Research Excellence in Science and Technology: Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Machines at the University of California Merced [HRD-1547848] and the Brandeis Biomaterials Facility Materials Research Science and Engineering Center [DMR-2011486].