Physics of Smart Matter: integrating active matter and control to gain insights into living systems

TL;DR

This paper advocates for integrating active matter physics with control principles to develop 'smart matter,' aiming to better understand living systems and engineer responsive, robust collectives.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of 'smart matter' by combining active matter physics with control theory to gain insights into biological systems and improve engineered collectives.

Findings

Proposes the 'smart matter' framework for interdisciplinary research.

Highlights potential benefits for understanding living systems.

Suggests applications in engineering responsive materials.

Abstract

We offer our opinion on the benefits of integration of insights from active matter physics with principles of regulatory interactions and control to develop a field we term ``smart matter". This field can provide insight into important principles in living systems as well as aid engineering of responsive, robust and functional collectives.