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Diffusion of active particles in a complex environment: Role of surface scattering.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Jakuszeit, Theresa 
Croze, Ottavio A 

Abstract

Experiments have shown that self-propelled particles can slide along the surface of a circular obstacle without becoming trapped over long times. Using simulations and theory, we study the impact of boundary conditions on the diffusive transport of active particles in an obstacle lattice. We find that particle dynamics with sliding boundary conditions result in large diffusivities even at high obstacle density, unlike classical specular reflection. These dynamics are very well described by a model based on run-and-tumble particles with microscopically derived reorientation functions arising from obstacle-induced tumbles. This model, however, fails to describe fine structure in the diffusivity at high obstacle density predicted by simulations for pusherlike collisions. Using a simple deterministic model, we show that this structure results from particles being guided by the lattice. Our results thus show how nonclassical surface scattering introduces a dependence on the lattice geometry at high densities. We discuss implications for the study of bacteria in complex environments.

Description

Keywords

physics.bio-ph, physics.bio-ph, cond-mat.stat-mech

Journal Title

Phys Rev E

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2470-0045
2470-0053

Volume Title

99

Publisher

American Physical Society (APS)
Sponsorship
EPSRC (1641841)
EPSRC (1641841)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/N509620/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/L504920/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/M508007/1)
EPSRC (1805370)