(255b) Active Colloids As Models, Materials, and Machines

Active colloids use energy input at the particle level to propel persistent motion and direct dynamic assemblies. These microscopic systems provide useful experimental models of nonequilibrium many-body physics in which dissipative currents break time-reversal symmetry. Freed from the constraints of thermodynamic equilibrium, active colloids assemble to form materials that move, reconfigure, heal, and adapt. Colloidal machines based on engineered particles and their assemblies provide a basis for mobile robots with increasing levels of autonomy. This talk surveys our efforts to understand and apply active colloids animated by chemical reactions, time-varying magnetic fields, and electric currents in pursuit of material systems that mimic the functions of living matter. We highlight opportunities for chemical engineers to contribute to this growing field.