Active matter consists of particles that continuously dissipate energy to generate self-propelled motion. Microscopic examples include bacteria and synthetic Janus colloids, which typically move through aqueous environments at room temperature. As a consequence, active matter systems are intrinsically out of equilibrium. Nevertheless, the collective behavior arising from the interplay between self-propulsion, interactions, and thermal fluctuations often displays striking similarities to the thermodynamic states and phase behavior of equilibrium systems.

A major goal in the field is therefore to develop a general thermodynamic-like framework capable of characterizing states, phases, and processes in active matter. Beyond its fundamental scientific interest, such a framework could provide guiding principles for the design of "smart" micro- and nanoscale devices fabricated from active materials, capable of autonomously performing specific tasks, for example in biomedical and healthcare applications.

This project contributes to these efforts by investigating activity-induced transport phenomena and mechanical properties in active matter systems, and by exploring whether and to what extent a thermodynamic description of active matter can be established. The research combines analytical approaches from non-equilibrium statistical physics and stochastic thermodynamics with numerical simulations.