Irreversibility and Biased Ensembles in Active Matter: Insights from Stochastic Thermodynamics

• DOI: 10.1146/annurev-conmatphys-031720-032419
• Publication Date: 2021-11-11T00:12:25Z
• Authors: Étienne Fodor; Robert L. Jack; Michael E. Cates
• Keywords: Active matter; Entropy production

Active systems evade the rules of equilibrium thermodynamics by constantly dissipating energy at level their microscopic components. This flux stems from conversion a fuel, present in environment, into sustained individual motion. It can lead to collective effects without any equivalent, such as phase separation for purely repulsive particles, or motion (flocking) aligning particles. Some these be rationalized using tools recapitulate nonequilibrium transitions. An important challenge is then delineate systematically which extent character active transitions genuinely distinct analogs. We review recent works that use stochastic identify, systems, measure irreversibility comprising coarse-grained informatic entropy production. describe how this relates underlying dissipation thermodynamic production, and it influenced behavior. Then, we possibility construct ensembles out-of-equilibrium, where trajectories are biased towards atypical values observables. show generic route discovering unexpected matter also inform design.