Emergent Mechanics in Bacterial Active Solids

Explore emergent mechanics in bacterial active solids through this 47-minute conference talk by Yilin Wu from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Delivered as part of "The Many Faces of Active Mechanics" conference at the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, delve into the fascinating world of active matter and its collective phenomena. Examine how energy-consuming components interact to create surprising behaviors in active fluids, from spontaneous flow to flocking. Discover the new frontier of active solids research, investigating elastically coupled networks capable of actuation and shape changes beyond equilibrium states. Gain insights into the interdisciplinary nature of this field, connecting concepts from hydrodynamics, elastic theories, living matter, and quantum materials far from equilibrium. Understand the potential applications in active hydrogels, metamaterials, and robotic mechanical structures as scientists work to uncover overarching principles and identify areas for future breakthroughs in this cutting-edge domain of physics.