Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This course provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts and recent developments in active matter, a field at the interface of statistical physics, soft matter, and non-equilibrium physics. It combines descriptive presentations, theoretical approaches, and the study of experimental systems.
The main topics covered include: the different classes of active matter and their order parameters; active Brownian motion and models of self-propelled particles; collective phenomena and order-disorder transitions; the Vicsek model and polar active systems; motility-induced phase separation (MIPS); active nematic and chiral systems; non-reciprocal interactions; as well as self-organization, collective behavior, and stigmergy.
The concepts are illustrated by numerous examples drawn from biological, colloidal, granular, and robotic systems.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
The main objective of the course is to provide students with the concepts and tools needed to understand the physics of active matter, a rapidly growing field since the early 2000s.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- distinguish the main classes of active systems and identify their order parameters;
- explain how active systems differ from systems at thermodynamic equilibrium;
- understand and use the main theoretical models of active matter;
- identify and describe the physical mechanisms underlying collective phenomena such as alignment, motility-induced phase separation (MIPS), self-organization, and structure formation;
- qualitatively and quantitatively analyze experimental or numerical results related to active systems;
- establish connections between concepts from non-equilibrium statistical physics and the behavior of biological, synthetic, or robotic active systems.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Soft Matter
Statistical Physics
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Lectures, course materials provided.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
Slides on eCampus.
Paper version of a textbook.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Nicolas Vandewalle, Professeur Ordinaire
nvandewalle@uliege.be
Eric Opsomer, Chef de Travaux
eric.opsomer@uliege.be