Fluctuation forces and defects in layers of active polymers (C09*)

• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 425217212

In the new project C09, the fluctuating nature of self-propulsion forces generated by a simple living organism (filamentous cyanobacteria), as well as the consequences of these fluctuations for the interaction in ensembles of such filaments, is investigated. Living organisms are inherently out of thermodynamic equilibrium, generate strong fluctuations e.g. by responding to sensory cues like light or mechanical forces, and store and release elastic energy by deforming. Understanding the impact of such non-equilibrium fluctuations in a living system may not only advance our understanding of non-equilibrium statistical physics, but also unfold the dynamics in ecologically relevant microbial communities.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1432: Fluctuations and Nonlinearities in Classical and Quantum Matter beyond Equilibrium
• Applicant Institution: Universität Konstanz
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Stefan Karpitschka