Active topological defects in dense 2D systems

Objective

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are at the heart of modern science and technology, from advanced electronic devices to biological tissues. In these systems, unusual phases of matter emerge, where the key players are topological defects, singular points where the local order breaks down. Far from being mere imperfections, defects control fundamental processes such as melting and structural transitions. In parallel, active matter, systems of particles that consume energy to move, such as synthetic colloids or living cells, plays as central to the science of complex systems. Active 2D materials can also exhibit topological phases, but continuous energy input drives novel dynamics and defect behaviors that cannot be explained by equilibrium theories. Understanding these behaviors is a pressing challenge, with implications for designing smart defect-engineered materials and for interpreting biological processes such as tissue remodeling. This project will tackle this challenge by provide a quantitative framework to describe topological defects in active hexatic phases, a poorly understood but widely observed state of matter. Combining advanced simulations, statistical physics, and analytical modelling, it aims at delivering the first quantitative and testable description of defect dynamics in active hexatics, bridging microscopic physics with macroscopic behavior. Beyond advancing fundamental knowledge of non-equilibrium phase transitions, the project will open avenues toward defect-based design of new smart materials and provide fresh tools to understand collective dynamics in biological tissues.