Active filaments and polymers in complex media A study on active tangentially driven polymers in various environments

This thesis investigates the conformation and dynamics of active polymers driven tangentially along their backbone in complex environments, including porous structures, granular media, and aqueous settings. Active polymers, in contrast to passive systems, are self-driven entities capable of converting energy into mechanical motion, a characteristic observed in both biological and synthetic systems. Through advanced computer simulations, this research examines the interplay between polymer flexibility, self-propulsion strength, and environmental features such as fluid-mediated interactions and obstacle arrangements in porous media. The findings reveal how conformational transitions, such as coil-stretch and spiral formations, influence polymers' transport. By elucidating the influence of activity on both conformational and dynamical properties, this thesis enhances the understanding of transport phenomena in active matter. The results have broad implications for biological processes, such as intracellular transport and active motion of polymer-like worms, and for the development of synthetic active materials.