Active colloids are microscopic particles that self-propel through viscous fluids by converting stored energy or energy available in their environment into directed motion. Examples of this behavior abound in the living world, such as swimming bacteria. Over the last decade, many synthetic analogues have also been engineered. Among these are bimetallic nanorods powered by catalytic reaction on one of their two metallic surfaces, Janus particles driven by an externally applied electric field, colloids driven by magnetic fields and by light. Active colloids are very different from their well-studied equilibrium counterparts, as they are maintained out of equilibrium by internally generated propulsive forces. The study of active colloids is drawing a great deal of interests as it provides new insights into fundamental properties of out-of-equilibrium systems and holds a major promise for the development of functional materials. One of the intriguing themes is self-assembly of active particles into various ordered structures, ranging from crystal-like assemblies to chains, vortices and orientationally ordered clusters. The themes of the Active Colloids with Order (ACWO) Conference include fundamentals of active colloidal suspensions, artificial and biological microswimmers, molecular motors, individual and collective behavior of active particles, with an emphasis on various ordered structures formed by active self-assembly.

biomaterial colloid defects grain boundaries liquid crystal polymer self-assembly simulation texture