# Friction mediated phase transition in confined active nematics

## TL;DR

This study uses a minimal continuum model to explore how substrate friction and confinement influence phase transitions and flow structures in active nematics, revealing controllable dynamical states.

## Contribution

It demonstrates the role of substrate friction and confinement as control parameters in active nematics, highlighting a phase transition and flow alignment behaviors.

## Key findings

- Friction induces a transition from circulating to anisotropic flow.
- Flow structures differ from unconfined active turbulence.
- Boundary conditions influence flow and correlations.

## Abstract

Using a minimal continuum model, we investigate the interplay between circular confinement and substrate friction in active nematics. Upon increasing the friction from low to high, we observe a dynamical phase transition from a circulating flow phase to an anisotropic flow phase in which the flow tends to align perpendicular to the nematic director at the boundary. We demonstrate that both the flow structure and dynamic correlations in the latter phase differ from those of an unconfined, active turbulent system and may be controlled by the prescribed nematic boundary conditions. Our results show that substrate friction and geometric confinement act as valuable control parameters in active nematics.