Active Filaments on Curved Surfaces: From Single Filaments to Dilute Suspensions

TY - JOUR

T1 - Active Filaments on Curved Surfaces

T2 - From Single Filaments to Dilute Suspensions

AU - Janzen, Giulia

AU - Mackay, Euan D.

AU - Sknepnek, Rastko

AU - Matoz-Fernandez, D. A.

N1 - © Royal Society of Chemistry 2026

PY - 2026/1/14

Y1 - 2026/1/14

N2 - Curvature plays a central organizational role in active polymer dynamics. Using large-scale Langevin-dynamics simulations, we study active semiflexible filaments confined to smooth curved surfaces and map how curvature, bending rigidity, and activity interact. We find geodesic alignment, curvature lensing, and curvature-induced trapping. In particular, regions of negative Gaussian curvature localize filaments and hinder global surface exploration. These results show how surface geometry can be used to control the organization and transport of active matter on curved substrates.

AB - Curvature plays a central organizational role in active polymer dynamics. Using large-scale Langevin-dynamics simulations, we study active semiflexible filaments confined to smooth curved surfaces and map how curvature, bending rigidity, and activity interact. We find geodesic alignment, curvature lensing, and curvature-induced trapping. In particular, regions of negative Gaussian curvature localize filaments and hinder global surface exploration. These results show how surface geometry can be used to control the organization and transport of active matter on curved substrates.

U2 - 10.1039/D5SM00884K

DO - 10.1039/D5SM00884K

M3 - Article

SN - 1744-683X

VL - 22

SP - 474

EP - 484

JO - Soft Matter

JF - Soft Matter

IS - 2

ER -