Effect of internal energy depletion on active nematic texture and dynamics.

Active nematics represent a relatively new class of materials with liquid crystalline properties that rely on an energy source to maintain their structure and dynamics. In this paper, we focus on the well-known microtubule-kinesin-based active nematic, powered by chemical energy as ATP (Adenosine triphosphate), and report on how ATP depletion impacts active nematic defect dynamics and texture. Using fluorescence microscope video imaging, we measure the time averaged mean defect separations and root mean square velocities of the active flows as a function of time. We also characterise textural changes and the growth of void space in the network after ATP depletion using an image binarization technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]