The physics and mathematics of living and dying matter

TL;DR

This paper introduces thermodynamically consistent active matter models that track energy consumption, allowing analysis of active behavior development and dissipation as energy depletes, along with macroscopic thermodynamic quantities.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel class of active matter models incorporating energy consumption, enabling detailed study of active behavior and thermodynamic properties.

Findings

Active behavior development can be monitored over energy depletion.

Thermodynamic quantities are definable and calculable within the models.

Models are thermodynamically consistent and track energy dissipation.

Abstract

We introduce and study a class of active matter models in which we keep track of fuel (stored energy) consumption. They are by construction, thermodynamically consistent. Using these models it is possible for us to observe and follow how active behaviour develops and also how it dissipates as the energy runs out. It is also straightforward to define, calculate and keep track of macroscopic thermodynamic quantities.