active matter

Active matter refers to systems composed of many individual units that consume energy to move or change shape autonomously. These units, such as microscopic bacteria, synthetic swimmers, or self-propelled particles, exhibit collective behaviors like swarming, flocking, or pattern formation. Unlike passive materials that only respond to external forces, active matter continuously spends energy to generate motion, leading to dynamic, out-of-equilibrium states. This field helps us understand complex biological processes, develop advanced materials, and design innovative robotic systems by studying how individual activity leads to emergent collective behaviors.